It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own.

Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as Folger Digital Texts, we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them.

The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theater.

I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.

Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library

Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine

Until now, with the release of the Folger Digital Texts, readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text.

Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero.

The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Digital Texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “If she in chains of magic were not bound,”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information.

Because the Folger Digital Texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare.

Synopsis

With a weak, unworldly king on the throne, the English nobility heightens its struggle for power in Henry VI, Part 2, leading to the brink of civil war.

At the start of the play, Henry meets his new bride, Margaret, to whom he has been married by proxy through Suffolk, her lover. Henry’s popular and powerful uncle Gloucester, the Lord Protector, soon comes under attack by Margaret, Suffolk, Cardinal Beaufort, and others.

Gloucester’s wife is shamed and exiled and Gloucester himself removed from office, then murdered on Suffolk’s orders. Suffolk is banished, captured by pirates, and killed. Meanwhile, the cardinal dies, raving in madness because of his part in Gloucester’s death.

A Kentish rebel, Jack Cade, leads a short-lived revolt, seizing London before his supporters desert him. He dies fighting in a garden. Soon another revolt emerges: Richard, Duke of York, leads an army against King Henry, who flees back to London. As the play ends, Richard’s forces also move toward London.

Flourish of trumpets, then hautboys.Enter King Henry, Duke Humphrey of Gloucester,Salisbury, Warwick, and Cardinal Beaufort, on the oneside; Queen Margaret, Suffolk, York, Somerset, andBuckingham, on the other.

SUFFOLKFTLN 0001As by your high imperial MajestyFTLN 0002I had in charge at my depart for France,FTLN 0003As procurator to your Excellence,FTLN 0004To marry Princess Margaret for your Grace,FTLN 00055So, in the famous ancient city Tours,FTLN 0006In presence of the Kings of France and Sicil,FTLN 0007The Dukes of Orleance, Calaber, Britaigne, andFTLN 0008Alanson,FTLN 0009Seven earls, twelve barons, and twenty reverendFTLN 001010bishops,FTLN 0011I have performed my task and was espoused;He kneels.FTLN 0012And humbly now upon my bended knee,FTLN 0013In sight of England and her lordly peers,FTLN 0014Deliver up my title in the QueenFTLN 001515To your most gracious hands, that are the substanceFTLN 0016Of that great shadow I did represent:FTLN 0017The happiest gift that ever marquess gave,FTLN 0018The fairest queen that ever king received.

GLOUCESTER(reads)FTLN 0046Imprimis, it is agreed between theFTLN 0047French king Charles and William de la Pole, MarquessFTLN 0048of Suffolk, ambassador for Henry, King of England,FTLN 0049that the said Henry shall espouse the LadyFTLN 005050Margaret, daughter unto Reignier, King of Naples,FTLN 0051Sicilia, and Jerusalem, and crown her Queen of EnglandFTLN 0052ere the thirtieth of May next ensuing. Item,FTLN 0053that the duchy of Anjou and the county of MaineFTLN 0054shall be released and delivered to the King herFTLN 005555father—He drops the paper.KING HENRYFTLN 0056Uncle, how now?GLOUCESTERFTLN 0057Pardon me, gracious lord.FTLN 0058Some sudden qualm hath struck me at the heartFTLN 0059And dimmed mine eyes, that I can read no further.KING HENRYFTLN 006060Uncle of Winchester, I pray read on.CARDINALpicks up the paper and readsFTLN 0061Item, it is furtherFTLN 0062agreed between them that the duchies ofFTLN 0063Anjou and Maine shall be released and delivered toFTLN 0064the King her father, and she sent over of the King ofFTLN 006565England’s own proper cost and charges, withoutFTLN 0066having any dowry.KING HENRYFTLN 0067They please us well.—Lord Marquess, kneel down.Suffolk kneels.FTLN 0068We here create thee the first Duke of SuffolkFTLN 0069And girt thee with the sword.Suffolk rises. CousinFTLN 007070of York,FTLN 0071We here discharge your Grace from being regentFTLN 0072I’ th’ parts of France till term of eighteen monthsFTLN 0073Be full expired.—Thanks, Uncle Winchester,FTLN 0074Gloucester, York, Buckingham, Somerset,FTLN 007575Salisbury, and Warwick;FTLN 0076We thank you all for this great favor doneFTLN 0077In entertainment to my princely queen.

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Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 1. SC. 1

FTLN 0078Come, let us in, and with all speed provideFTLN 0079To see her coronation be performed.King, Queen, and Suffolk exit.The rest remain.GLOUCESTERFTLN 008080Brave peers of England, pillars of the state,FTLN 0081To you Duke Humphrey must unload his grief,FTLN 0082Your grief, the common grief of all the land.FTLN 0083What, did my brother Henry spend his youth,FTLN 0084His valor, coin, and people in the wars?FTLN 008585Did he so often lodge in open field,FTLN 0086In winter’s cold and summer’s parching heat,FTLN 0087To conquer France, his true inheritance?FTLN 0088And did my brother Bedford toil his witsFTLN 0089To keep by policy what Henry got?FTLN 009090Have you yourselves, Somerset, Buckingham,FTLN 0091Brave York, Salisbury, and victorious Warwick,FTLN 0092Received deep scars in France and Normandy?FTLN 0093Or hath mine uncle Beaufort and myself,FTLN 0094With all the learnèd council of the realm,FTLN 009595Studied so long, sat in the Council House,FTLN 0096Early and late, debating to and froFTLN 0097How France and Frenchmen might be kept in awe,FTLN 0098And had his Highness in his infancyFTLN 0099Crowned in Paris in despite of foes?FTLN 0100100And shall these labors and these honors die?FTLN 0101Shall Henry’s conquest, Bedford’s vigilance,FTLN 0102Your deeds of war, and all our counsel die?FTLN 0103O peers of England, shameful is this league,FTLN 0104Fatal this marriage, cancelling your fame,FTLN 0105105Blotting your names from books of memory,FTLN 0106Razing the characters of your renown,FTLN 0107Defacing monuments of conquered France,FTLN 0108Undoing all, as all had never been!CARDINALFTLN 0109Nephew, what means this passionate discourse,

15

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 1. SC. 1

FTLN 0110110This peroration with such circumstance?FTLN 0111For France, ’tis ours, and we will keep it still.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0112Ay, uncle, we will keep it if we can,FTLN 0113But now it is impossible we should.FTLN 0114Suffolk, the new-made duke that rules the roast,FTLN 0115115Hath given the duchy of Anjou and MaineFTLN 0116Unto the poor King Reignier, whose large styleFTLN 0117Agrees not with the leanness of his purse.SALISBURYFTLN 0118Now, by the death of Him that died for all,FTLN 0119These counties were the keys of Normandy.FTLN 0120120But wherefore weeps Warwick, my valiant son?WARWICKFTLN 0121For grief that they are past recovery;FTLN 0122For, were there hope to conquer them again,FTLN 0123My sword should shed hot blood, mine eyes noFTLN 0124tears.FTLN 0125125Anjou and Maine? Myself did win them both!FTLN 0126Those provinces these arms of mine did conquer.FTLN 0127And are the cities that I got with woundsFTLN 0128Delivered up again with peaceful words?FTLN 0129Mort Dieu!YORKFTLN 0130130For Suffolk’s duke, may he be suffocateFTLN 0131That dims the honor of this warlike isle!FTLN 0132France should have torn and rent my very heartFTLN 0133Before I would have yielded to this league.FTLN 0134I never read but England’s kings have hadFTLN 0135135Large sums of gold and dowries with their wives;FTLN 0136And our King Henry gives away his ownFTLN 0137To match with her that brings no vantages.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0138A proper jest, and never heard before,FTLN 0139That Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenthFTLN 0140140For costs and charges in transporting her!

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ACT 1. SC. 1

FTLN 0141She should have stayed in France and starved inFTLN 0142FranceFTLN 0143Before—CARDINALFTLN 0144My lord of Gloucester, now you grow too hot.FTLN 0145145It was the pleasure of my lord the King.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0146My lord of Winchester, I know your mind.FTLN 0147’Tis not my speeches that you do mislike,FTLN 0148But ’tis my presence that doth trouble you.FTLN 0149Rancor will out. Proud prelate, in thy faceFTLN 0150150I see thy fury. If I longer stay,FTLN 0151We shall begin our ancient bickerings.—FTLN 0152Lordings, farewell; and say, when I am gone,FTLN 0153I prophesied France will be lost ere long.Gloucester exits.CARDINALFTLN 0154So, there goes our Protector in a rage.FTLN 0155155’Tis known to you he is mine enemy,FTLN 0156Nay, more, an enemy unto you all,FTLN 0157And no great friend, I fear me, to the King.FTLN 0158Consider, lords, he is the next of bloodFTLN 0159And heir apparent to the English crown.FTLN 0160160Had Henry got an empire by his marriage,FTLN 0161And all the wealthy kingdoms of the West,FTLN 0162There’s reason he should be displeased at it.FTLN 0163Look to it, lords. Let not his smoothing wordsFTLN 0164Bewitch your hearts; be wise and circumspect.FTLN 0165165What though the common people favor him,FTLN 0166Calling him “Humphrey, the good Duke ofFTLN 0167Gloucester,”FTLN 0168Clapping their hands and crying with loud voiceFTLN 0169“Jesu maintain your royal Excellence!”FTLN 0170170With “God preserve the good Duke Humphrey!”FTLN 0171I fear me, lords, for all this flattering gloss,FTLN 0172He will be found a dangerous Protector.

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Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 1. SC. 1

BUCKINGHAMFTLN 0173Why should he, then, protect our sovereign,FTLN 0174He being of age to govern of himself?—FTLN 0175175Cousin of Somerset, join you with me,FTLN 0176And all together, with the Duke of Suffolk,FTLN 0177We’ll quickly hoise Duke Humphrey from his seat.CARDINALFTLN 0178This weighty business will not brook delay.FTLN 0179I’ll to the Duke of Suffolk presently.Cardinal exits.SOMERSETFTLN 0180180Cousin of Buckingham, though Humphrey’s prideFTLN 0181And greatness of his place be grief to us,FTLN 0182Yet let us watch the haughty cardinal.FTLN 0183His insolence is more intolerableFTLN 0184Than all the princes’ in the land besides.FTLN 0185185If Gloucester be displaced, he’ll be Protector.BUCKINGHAMFTLN 0186Or thou or I, Somerset, will be Protector,FTLN 0187Despite Duke Humphrey or the Cardinal.Buckingham and Somerset exit.SALISBURYFTLN 0188Pride went before; Ambition follows him.FTLN 0189While these do labor for their own preferment,FTLN 0190190Behooves it us to labor for the realm.FTLN 0191I never saw but Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester,FTLN 0192Did bear him like a noble gentleman.FTLN 0193Oft have I seen the haughty cardinal,FTLN 0194More like a soldier than a man o’ th’ Church,FTLN 0195195As stout and proud as he were lord of all,FTLN 0196Swear like a ruffian and demean himselfFTLN 0197Unlike the ruler of a commonweal.—FTLN 0198Warwick, my son, the comfort of my age,FTLN 0199Thy deeds, thy plainness, and thy housekeepingFTLN 0200200Hath won the greatest favor of the Commons,FTLN 0201Excepting none but good Duke Humphrey.—FTLN 0202And, brother York, thy acts in Ireland,

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Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 1. SC. 1

FTLN 0203In bringing them to civil discipline,FTLN 0204Thy late exploits done in the heart of France,FTLN 0205205When thou wert regent for our sovereign,FTLN 0206Have made thee feared and honored of the people.FTLN 0207Join we together for the public goodFTLN 0208In what we can to bridle and suppressFTLN 0209The pride of Suffolk and the Cardinal,FTLN 0210210With Somerset’s and Buckingham’s ambition;FTLN 0211And, as we may, cherish Duke Humphrey’s deedsFTLN 0212While they do tend the profit of the land.WARWICKFTLN 0213So God help Warwick, as he loves the landFTLN 0214And common profit of his country!YORKFTLN 0215215And so says York—asidefor he hath greatestFTLN 0216cause.SALISBURYFTLN 0217Then let’s make haste away and look unto the main.WARWICKFTLN 0218Unto the main? O father, Maine is lost!FTLN 0219That Maine which by main force Warwick did winFTLN 0220220And would have kept so long as breath did last!FTLN 0221Main chance, father, you meant; but I meant Maine,FTLN 0222Which I will win from France or else be slain.Warwick and Salisbury exit.York remains.YORKFTLN 0223Anjou and Maine are given to the French;FTLN 0224Paris is lost; the state of NormandyFTLN 0225225Stands on a tickle point now they are gone.FTLN 0226Suffolk concluded on the articles,FTLN 0227The peers agreed, and Henry was well pleasedFTLN 0228To change two dukedoms for a duke’s fair daughter.FTLN 0229I cannot blame them all. What is ’t to them?FTLN 0230230’Tis thine they give away, and not their own.FTLN 0231Pirates may make cheap pennyworths of theirFTLN 0232pillage,

23

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 1. SC. 1

FTLN 0233And purchase friends, and give to courtesans,FTLN 0234Still reveling like lords till all be gone;FTLN 0235235Whileas the silly owner of the goodsFTLN 0236Weeps over them, and wrings his hapless hands,FTLN 0237And shakes his head, and trembling stands aloof,FTLN 0238While all is shared and all is borne away,FTLN 0239Ready to starve, and dare not touch his own.FTLN 0240240So York must sit and fret and bite his tongueFTLN 0241While his own lands are bargained for and sold.FTLN 0242Methinks the realms of England, France, andFTLN 0243IrelandFTLN 0244Bear that proportion to my flesh and bloodFTLN 0245245As did the fatal brand Althaea burntFTLN 0246Unto the Prince’s heart of Calydon.FTLN 0247Anjou and Maine both given unto the French!FTLN 0248Cold news for me, for I had hope of France,FTLN 0249Even as I have of fertile England’s soil.FTLN 0250250A day will come when York shall claim his own;FTLN 0251And therefore I will take the Nevilles’ partsFTLN 0252And make a show of love to proud Duke Humphrey,FTLN 0253And, when I spy advantage, claim the crown,FTLN 0254For that’s the golden mark I seek to hit.FTLN 0255255Nor shall proud Lancaster usurp my right,FTLN 0256Nor hold the scepter in his childish fist,FTLN 0257Nor wear the diadem upon his head,FTLN 0258Whose churchlike humors fits not for a crown.FTLN 0259Then, York, be still awhile till time do serve.FTLN 0260260Watch thou and wake, when others be asleep,FTLN 0261To pry into the secrets of the stateFTLN 0262Till Henry, surfeiting in joys of loveFTLN 0263With his new bride and England’s dear-boughtFTLN 0264queen,FTLN 0265265And Humphrey with the peers be fall’n at jars.FTLN 0266Then will I raise aloft the milk-white rose,FTLN 0267With whose sweet smell the air shall be perfumed,FTLN 0268And in my standard bear the arms of York,FTLN 0269To grapple with the house of Lancaster;

DUCHESSFTLN 0272Why droops my lord like over-ripened cornFTLN 0273Hanging the head at Ceres’ plenteous load?FTLN 0274Why doth the great Duke Humphrey knit his brows,FTLN 0275As frowning at the favors of the world?FTLN 02765Why are thine eyes fixed to the sullen earth,FTLN 0277Gazing on that which seems to dim thy sight?FTLN 0278What seest thou there? King Henry’s diadem,FTLN 0279Enchased with all the honors of the world?FTLN 0280If so, gaze on and grovel on thy faceFTLN 028110Until thy head be circled with the same.FTLN 0282Put forth thy hand; reach at the glorious gold.FTLN 0283What, is ’t too short? I’ll lengthen it with mine;FTLN 0284And, having both together heaved it up,FTLN 0285We’ll both together lift our heads to heavenFTLN 028615And never more abase our sight so lowFTLN 0287As to vouchsafe one glance unto the ground.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0288O Nell, sweet Nell, if thou dost love thy lord,FTLN 0289Banish the canker of ambitious thoughts!FTLN 0290And may that hour when I imagine illFTLN 029120Against my king and nephew, virtuous Henry,FTLN 0292Be my last breathing in this mortal world!FTLN 0293My troublous dreams this night doth make me sad.DUCHESSFTLN 0294What dreamed my lord? Tell me, and I’ll requite itFTLN 0295With sweet rehearsal of my morning’s dream.

27

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 1. SC. 2

GLOUCESTERFTLN 029625Methought this staff, mine office badge in court,FTLN 0297Was broke in twain—by whom I have forgot,FTLN 0298But, as I think, it was by th’ Cardinal—FTLN 0299And on the pieces of the broken wandFTLN 0300Were placed the heads of Edmund, Duke ofFTLN 030130Somerset,FTLN 0302And William de la Pole, first Duke of Suffolk.FTLN 0303This was my dream. What it doth bode God knows.DUCHESSFTLN 0304Tut, this was nothing but an argumentFTLN 0305That he that breaks a stick of Gloucester’s groveFTLN 030635Shall lose his head for his presumption.FTLN 0307But list to me, my Humphrey, my sweet duke:FTLN 0308Methought I sat in seat of majesty,FTLN 0309In the cathedral church of WestminsterFTLN 0310And in that chair where kings and queens wereFTLN 031140crowned,FTLN 0312Where Henry and Dame Margaret kneeled to meFTLN 0313And on my head did set the diadem.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0314Nay, Eleanor, then must I chide outright.FTLN 0315Presumptuous dame, ill-nurtured Eleanor,FTLN 031645Art thou not second woman in the realmFTLN 0317And the Protector’s wife, beloved of him?FTLN 0318Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command,FTLN 0319Above the reach or compass of thy thought?FTLN 0320And wilt thou still be hammering treacheryFTLN 032150To tumble down thy husband and thyselfFTLN 0322From top of honor to disgrace’s feet?FTLN 0323Away from me, and let me hear no more!DUCHESSFTLN 0324What, what, my lord? Are you so cholericFTLN 0325With Eleanor for telling but her dream?FTLN 032655Next time I’ll keep my dreams unto myselfFTLN 0327And not be checked.

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Henry VI, Part 2

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GLOUCESTERFTLN 0328Nay, be not angry. I am pleased again.

Enter Messenger.

MESSENGERFTLN 0329My Lord Protector, ’tis his Highness’ pleasureFTLN 0330You do prepare to ride unto Saint Albans,FTLN 033160Whereas the King and Queen do mean to hawk.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0332I go.—Come, Nell, thou wilt ride with us?DUCHESSFTLN 0333Yes, my good lord. I’ll follow presently.Gloucester exits, with Messenger.FTLN 0334Follow I must; I cannot go beforeFTLN 0335While Gloucester bears this base and humble mind.FTLN 033665Were I a man, a duke, and next of blood,FTLN 0337I would remove these tedious stumbling blocksFTLN 0338And smooth my way upon their headless necks;FTLN 0339And, being a woman, I will not be slackFTLN 0340To play my part in Fortune’s pageant.—FTLN 034170Where are you there? Sir John! Nay, fear not, man.FTLN 0342We are alone; here’s none but thee and I.

HUMEFTLN 035180This they have promisèd: to show your HighnessFTLN 0352A spirit raised from depth of undergroundFTLN 0353That shall make answer to such questionsFTLN 0354As by your Grace shall be propounded him.DUCHESSFTLN 0355It is enough. I’ll think upon the questions.FTLN 035685When from Saint Albans we do make return,FTLN 0357We’ll see these things effected to the full.FTLN 0358Here, Hume, take this reward.She gives him money.FTLN 0359Make merry, man,FTLN 0360With thy confederates in this weighty cause.Duchess exits.HUMEFTLN 036190Hume must make merry with the Duchess’ gold.FTLN 0362Marry, and shall! But, how now, Sir John Hume?FTLN 0363Seal up your lips, and give no words but “mum”;FTLN 0364The business asketh silent secrecy.FTLN 0365Dame Eleanor gives gold to bring the witch;FTLN 036695Gold cannot come amiss, were she a devil.FTLN 0367Yet have I gold flies from another coast—FTLN 0368I dare not say, from the rich cardinalFTLN 0369And from the great and new-made Duke of Suffolk,FTLN 0370Yet I do find it so. For, to be plain,FTLN 0371100They, knowing Dame Eleanor’s aspiring humor,FTLN 0372Have hirèd me to undermine the DuchessFTLN 0373And buzz these conjurations in her brain.FTLN 0374They say a crafty knave does need no broker,FTLN 0375Yet am I Suffolk and the Cardinal’s broker.FTLN 0376105Hume, if you take not heed, you shall go nearFTLN 0377To call them both a pair of crafty knaves.FTLN 0378Well, so it stands; and thus I fear at lastFTLN 0379Hume’s knavery will be the Duchess’ wrack,FTLN 0380And her attainture will be Humphrey’s fall.FTLN 0381110Sort how it will, I shall have gold for all.He exits.

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Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 1. SC. 3

Scene3

Enter three or four Petitioners, Peter, theArmorer’s man, being one.

FIRST PETITIONERFTLN 0382My masters, let’s stand close. MyFTLN 0383Lord Protector will come this way by and by, andFTLN 0384then we may deliver our supplications in the quill.SECOND PETITIONERFTLN 0385Marry, the Lord protect him, forFTLN 03865he’s a good man! Jesu bless him!

FTLN 0409Thomas Horner, for saying that the Duke of YorkFTLN 0410was rightful heir to the crown.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 041130What sayst thou? Did the Duke ofFTLN 0412York say he was rightful heir to the crown?PETERFTLN 0413That my master was? No, forsooth. My masterFTLN 0414said that he was and that the King was anFTLN 0415usurper.SUFFOLK, callingFTLN 041635Who is there?

Enter Servant.

FTLN 0417Take this fellow in, and send for his master with aFTLN 0418pursuivant presently.—We’ll hear more of yourFTLN 0419matter before the King.Peter exits with Servant.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 0420And as for you that love to be protectedFTLN 042140Under the wings of our Protector’s grace,FTLN 0422Begin your suits anew, and sue to him.Tear the supplication.FTLN 0423Away, base cullions.—Suffolk, let them go.ALLFTLN 0424Come, let’s be gone.They exit.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 0425My lord of Suffolk, say, is this the guise,FTLN 042645Is this the fashions in the court of England?FTLN 0427Is this the government of Britain’s isleFTLN 0428And this the royalty of Albion’s king?FTLN 0429What, shall King Henry be a pupil stillFTLN 0430Under the surly Gloucester’s governance?FTLN 043150Am I a queen in title and in style,FTLN 0432And must be made a subject to a duke?FTLN 0433I tell thee, Pole, when in the city ToursFTLN 0434Thou rann’st atilt in honor of my loveFTLN 0435And stol’st away the ladies’ hearts of France,FTLN 043655I thought King Henry had resembled theeFTLN 0437In courage, courtship, and proportion.FTLN 0438But all his mind is bent to holiness,

37

Henry VI, Part 2

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FTLN 0439To number Ave Marys on his beads;FTLN 0440His champions are the prophets and apostles,FTLN 044160His weapons holy saws of sacred writ,FTLN 0442His study is his tiltyard, and his lovesFTLN 0443Are brazen images of canonized saints.FTLN 0444I would the College of the CardinalsFTLN 0445Would choose him pope and carry him to RomeFTLN 044665And set the triple crown upon his head!FTLN 0447That were a state fit for his holiness.SUFFOLKFTLN 0448Madam, be patient. As I was causeFTLN 0449Your Highness came to England, so will IFTLN 0450In England work your Grace’s full content.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 045170Besides the haughty Protector, have we BeaufortFTLN 0452The imperious churchman, Somerset, Buckingham,FTLN 0453And grumbling York; and not the least of theseFTLN 0454But can do more in England than the King.SUFFOLKFTLN 0455And he of these that can do most of allFTLN 045675Cannot do more in England than the Nevilles;FTLN 0457Salisbury and Warwick are no simple peers.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 0458Not all these lords do vex me half so muchFTLN 0459As that proud dame, the Lord Protector’s wife.FTLN 0460She sweeps it through the court with troops ofFTLN 046180ladies,FTLN 0462More like an empress than Duke Humphrey’s wife.FTLN 0463Strangers in court do take her for the Queen.FTLN 0464She bears a duke’s revenues on her back,FTLN 0465And in her heart she scorns our poverty.FTLN 046685Shall I not live to be avenged on her?FTLN 0467Contemptuous baseborn callet as she is,FTLN 0468She vaunted ’mongst her minions t’ other dayFTLN 0469The very train of her worst wearing gown

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ACT 1. SC. 3

FTLN 0470Was better worth than all my father’s landsFTLN 047190Till Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter.SUFFOLKFTLN 0472Madam, myself have limed a bush for herFTLN 0473And placed a choir of such enticing birdsFTLN 0474That she will light to listen to the laysFTLN 0475And never mount to trouble you again.FTLN 047695So let her rest. And, madam, list to me,FTLN 0477For I am bold to counsel you in this:FTLN 0478Although we fancy not the Cardinal,FTLN 0479Yet must we join with him and with the lordsFTLN 0480Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace.FTLN 0481100As for the Duke of York, this late complaintFTLN 0482Will make but little for his benefit.FTLN 0483So, one by one, we’ll weed them all at last,FTLN 0484And you yourself shall steer the happy helm.

KING HENRYFTLN 0485For my part, noble lords, I care not which;FTLN 0486105Or Somerset or York, all’s one to me.YORKFTLN 0487If York have ill demeaned himself in France,FTLN 0488Then let him be denied the regentship.SOMERSETFTLN 0489If Somerset be unworthy of the place,FTLN 0490Let York be regent; I will yield to him.WARWICKFTLN 0491110Whether your Grace be worthy, yea or no,FTLN 0492Dispute not that. York is the worthier.CARDINALFTLN 0493Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak.

41

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 1. SC. 3

WARWICKFTLN 0494The Cardinal’s not my better in the field.BUCKINGHAMFTLN 0495All in this presence are thy betters, Warwick.WARWICKFTLN 0496115Warwick may live to be the best of all.SALISBURYFTLN 0497Peace, son.—And show some reason, Buckingham,FTLN 0498Why Somerset should be preferred in this.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 0499Because the King, forsooth, will have it so.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0500Madam, the King is old enough himselfFTLN 0501120To give his censure. These are no women’s matters.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 0502If he be old enough, what needs your GraceFTLN 0503To be Protector of his Excellence?GLOUCESTERFTLN 0504Madam, I am Protector of the realm,FTLN 0505And at his pleasure will resign my place.SUFFOLKFTLN 0506125Resign it, then, and leave thine insolence.FTLN 0507Since thou wert king—as who is king but thou?—FTLN 0508The commonwealth hath daily run to wrack,FTLN 0509The Dauphin hath prevailed beyond the seas,FTLN 0510And all the peers and nobles of the realmFTLN 0511130Have been as bondmen to thy sovereignty.CARDINAL, to GloucesterFTLN 0512The Commons hast thou racked; the clergy’s bagsFTLN 0513Are lank and lean with thy extortions.SOMERSET, to GloucesterFTLN 0514Thy sumptuous buildings and thy wife’s attireFTLN 0515Have cost a mass of public treasury.BUCKINGHAM, to GloucesterFTLN 0516135Thy cruelty in executionFTLN 0517Upon offenders hath exceeded lawFTLN 0518And left thee to the mercy of the law.

43

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 1. SC. 3

QUEEN MARGARET, to GloucesterFTLN 0519Thy sale of offices and towns in France,FTLN 0520If they were known, as the suspect is great,FTLN 0521140Would make thee quickly hop without thy head.Gloucester exits.Queen Margaret drops her fan.FTLN 0522To Duchess.Give me my fan. What, minion, canFTLN 0523you not?She gives the Duchess a box on the ear.FTLN 0524I cry you mercy, madam. Was it you?DUCHESSFTLN 0525Was ’t I? Yea, I it was, proud Frenchwoman.FTLN 0526145Could I come near your beauty with my nails,FTLN 0527I’d set my ten commandments in your face.KING HENRYFTLN 0528Sweet aunt, be quiet. ’Twas against her will.DUCHESSFTLN 0529Against her will, good king? Look to ’t in time.FTLN 0530She’ll hamper thee and dandle thee like a baby.FTLN 0531150Though in this place most master wear no breeches,FTLN 0532She shall not strike Dame Eleanor unrevenged.Eleanor, the Duchess, exits.BUCKINGHAM, aside to CardinalFTLN 0533Lord Cardinal, I will follow EleanorFTLN 0534And listen after Humphrey how he proceeds.FTLN 0535She’s tickled now; her fume needs no spurs;FTLN 0536155She’ll gallop far enough to her destruction.Buckingham exits.

Enter Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester.

GLOUCESTERFTLN 0537Now, lords, my choler being overblownFTLN 0538With walking once about the quadrangle,FTLN 0539I come to talk of commonwealth affairs.FTLN 0540As for your spiteful false objections,FTLN 0541160Prove them, and I lie open to the law;FTLN 0542But God in mercy so deal with my soul

45

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 1. SC. 3

FTLN 0543As I in duty love my king and country!FTLN 0544But, to the matter that we have in hand:FTLN 0545I say, my sovereign, York is meetest manFTLN 0546165To be your regent in the realm of France.SUFFOLKFTLN 0547Before we make election, give me leaveFTLN 0548To show some reason, of no little force,FTLN 0549That York is most unmeet of any man.YORKFTLN 0550I’ll tell thee, Suffolk, why I am unmeet:FTLN 0551170First, for I cannot flatter thee in pride;FTLN 0552Next, if I be appointed for the place,FTLN 0553My lord of Somerset will keep me hereFTLN 0554Without discharge, money, or furnitureFTLN 0555Till France be won into the Dauphin’s hands.FTLN 0556175Last time I danced attendance on his willFTLN 0557Till Paris was besieged, famished, and lost.WARWICKFTLN 0558That can I witness, and a fouler factFTLN 0559Did never traitor in the land commit.SUFFOLKFTLN 0560Peace, headstrong Warwick!WARWICKFTLN 0561180Image of pride, why should I hold my peace?

SUFFOLKFTLN 0567Please it your Majesty, this is the manFTLN 0568That doth accuse his master of high treason.FTLN 0569His words were these: that Richard, Duke of York,FTLN 0570Was rightful heir unto the English crown,FTLN 0571190And that your Majesty was an usurper.KING HENRYFTLN 0572Say, man, were these thy words?HORNERFTLN 0573An ’t shall please your Majesty, I never saidFTLN 0574nor thought any such matter. God is my witness, IFTLN 0575am falsely accused by the villain.PETERFTLN 0576195By these ten bones, my lords, he did speakFTLN 0577them to me in the garret one night as we wereFTLN 0578scouring my lord of York’s armor.YORK, to HornerFTLN 0579Base dunghill villain and mechanical,FTLN 0580I’ll have thy head for this thy traitor’s speech!—FTLN 0581200I do beseech your royal Majesty,FTLN 0582Let him have all the rigor of the law.HORNERFTLN 0583Alas, my lord, hang me if ever I spake theFTLN 0584words. My accuser is my prentice; and when I didFTLN 0585correct him for his fault the other day, he did vowFTLN 0586205upon his knees he would be even with me. I haveFTLN 0587good witness of this. Therefore I beseech yourFTLN 0588Majesty, do not cast away an honest man for aFTLN 0589villain’s accusation!KING HENRYFTLN 0590Uncle, what shall we say to this in law?GLOUCESTERFTLN 0591210This doom, my lord, if I may judge:FTLN 0592Let Somerset be regent o’er the French,FTLN 0593Because in York this breeds suspicion;FTLN 0594And let these have a day appointed themFTLN 0595For single combat in convenient place,FTLN 0596215For he hath witness of his servant’s malice.FTLN 0597This is the law, and this Duke Humphrey’s doom.

49

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 1. SC. 4

SOMERSETFTLN 0598I humbly thank your royal Majesty.HORNERFTLN 0599And I accept the combat willingly.PETERFTLN 0600Alas, my lord, I cannot fight; for God’s sake pityFTLN 0601220my case! The spite of man prevaileth against me. OFTLN 0602Lord, have mercy upon me! I shall never be able toFTLN 0603fight a blow. O Lord, my heart!GLOUCESTERFTLN 0604Sirrah, or you must fight or else be hanged.KING HENRYFTLN 0605Away with them to prison; and the day ofFTLN 0606225combat shall be the last of the next month.—FTLN 0607Come, Somerset, we’ll see thee sent away.Flourish. They exit.

Scene4

Enter the Witch Margery Jourdain, the two PriestsHume and Southwell, and Bolingbroke, a conjurer.

HUMEFTLN 0608Come, my masters. The Duchess, I tell you,FTLN 0609expects performance of your promises.BOLINGBROKEFTLN 0610Master Hume, we are therefore provided.FTLN 0611Will her Ladyship behold and hear ourFTLN 06125exorcisms?HUMEFTLN 0613Ay, what else? Fear you not her courage.BOLINGBROKEFTLN 0614I have heard her reported to be aFTLN 0615woman of an invincible spirit. But it shall be convenient,FTLN 0616Master Hume, that you be by her aloftFTLN 061710while we be busy below; and so, I pray you, go, inFTLN 0618God’s name, and leave us.Hume exits.FTLN 0619Mother Jourdain, be you prostrate and grovel onFTLN 0620the earth.She lies face downward. John Southwell,FTLN 0621read you; and let us to our work.

51

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 1. SC. 4

Enter Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester,with Hume, aloft.

DUCHESSFTLN 062215Well said, my masters, and welcome all. ToFTLN 0623this gear, the sooner the better.BOLINGBROKEFTLN 0624Patience, good lady. Wizards know their times.FTLN 0625Deep night, dark night, the silent of the night,FTLN 0626The time of night when Troy was set on fire,FTLN 062720The time when screech owls cry and bandogs howl,FTLN 0628And spirits walk, and ghosts break up their graves—FTLN 0629That time best fits the work we have in hand.FTLN 0630Madam, sit you, and fear not. Whom we raiseFTLN 0631We will make fast within a hallowed verge.

Here they do the ceremonies belonging, andmake the circle. Bolingbroke or Southwell reads“Conjuro te, etc.”It thunders and lightens terribly;then the Spirit riseth.

SPIRITFTLN 063225Adsum.JOURDAINFTLN 0633Asmath,FTLN 0634By the eternal God, whose name and powerFTLN 0635Thou tremblest at, answer that I shall ask,FTLN 0636For till thou speak, thou shalt not pass from hence.SPIRITFTLN 063730Ask what thou wilt. That I had said and done!BOLINGBROKE, reading from a paper,while SouthwellwritesFTLN 0638First of the King: What shall of him become?SPIRITFTLN 0639The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose,FTLN 0640But him outlive and die a violent death.BOLINGBROKE, readsFTLN 0641What fates await the Duke of Suffolk?SPIRITFTLN 064235By water shall he die and take his end.BOLINGBROKEreadsFTLN 0643What shall befall the Duke of Somerset?

53

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 1. SC. 4

SPIRITFTLN 0644Let him shun castles.FTLN 0645Safer shall he be upon the sandy plainsFTLN 0646Than where castles mounted stand.FTLN 064740Have done, for more I hardly can endure.BOLINGBROKEFTLN 0648Descend to darkness and the burning lake!FTLN 0649False fiend, avoid!Thunder and lightning. Spirit exits, descending.

Enter the Duke of York and the Duke of Buckinghamwith their Guard and Sir Humphrey Stafford, andbreak in.

YORKFTLN 0650Lay hands upon these traitors and their trash.The Guard arrest Margery Jourdain and heraccomplices and seize their papers.FTLN 0651To Jourdain.Beldam, I think we watched you at anFTLN 065245inch.FTLN 0653To the Duchess, aloft.What, madam, are youFTLN 0654there? The King and commonwealFTLN 0655Are deeply indebted for this piece of pains.FTLN 0656My Lord Protector will, I doubt it not,FTLN 065750See you well guerdoned for these good deserts.DUCHESSFTLN 0658Not half so bad as thine to England’s king,FTLN 0659Injurious duke, that threatest where’s no cause.BUCKINGHAMFTLN 0660True, madam, none at all. What call you this?He holds up the papers seized.FTLN 0661Away with them! Let them be clapped up closeFTLN 066255And kept asunder.—You, madam, shall with us.—FTLN 0663Stafford, take her to thee.Stafford exits.FTLN 0664We’ll see your trinkets here all forthcoming.FTLN 0665All away!Jourdain, Southwell, and Bolingbrokeexit under guard, below; Duchess and Humeexit, under guard, aloft.

55

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 1. SC. 4

YORKFTLN 0666Lord Buckingham, methinks you watched her well.FTLN 066760A pretty plot, well chosen to build upon!FTLN 0668Now, pray, my lord, let’s see the devil’s writ.Buckingham hands him the papers.FTLN 0669What have we here?FTLN 0670(Reads.)The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose,FTLN 0671But him outlive and die a violent death.FTLN 067265Why, this is just Aio te, Aeacida,FTLN 0673Romanos vincere posse. Well, to the rest:FTLN 0674(Reads.)Tell me what fate awaits the Duke ofFTLN 0675Suffolk?FTLN 0676By water shall he die and take his end.FTLN 067770What shall betide the Duke of Somerset?FTLN 0678Let him shun castles;FTLN 0679Safer shall he be upon the sandy plainsFTLN 0680Than where castles mounted stand.FTLN 0681Come, come, my lord, these oraclesFTLN 068275Are hardly attained and hardly understood.FTLN 0683The King is now in progress towards Saint Albans;FTLN 0684With him the husband of this lovely lady.FTLN 0685Thither goes these news as fast as horse can carryFTLN 0686them—FTLN 068780A sorry breakfast for my Lord Protector.BUCKINGHAMFTLN 0688Your Grace shall give me leave, my lord of York,FTLN 0689To be the post, in hope of his reward.YORKFTLN 0690At your pleasure, my good lord.Buckingham exits.FTLN 0691Who’s within there, ho!

QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 0694Believe me, lords, for flying at the brookFTLN 0695I saw not better sport these seven years’ day.FTLN 0696Yet, by your leave, the wind was very high,FTLN 0697And, ten to one, old Joan had not gone out.KING HENRY, to GloucesterFTLN 06985But what a point, my lord, your falcon made,FTLN 0699And what a pitch she flew above the rest!FTLN 0700To see how God in all his creatures works!FTLN 0701Yea, man and birds are fain of climbing high.SUFFOLKFTLN 0702No marvel, an it like your Majesty,FTLN 070310My Lord Protector’s hawks do tower so well;FTLN 0704They know their master loves to be aloftFTLN 0705And bears his thoughts above his falcon’s pitch.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0706My lord, ’tis but a base ignoble mindFTLN 0707That mounts no higher than a bird can soar.CARDINALFTLN 070815I thought as much. He would be above the clouds.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0709Ay, my Lord Cardinal, how think you by that?FTLN 0710Were it not good your Grace could fly to heaven?

59

61

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 2. SC. 1

KING HENRYFTLN 0711The treasury of everlasting joy.CARDINAL, to GloucesterFTLN 0712Thy heaven is on Earth; thine eyes and thoughtsFTLN 071320Beat on a crown, the treasure of thy heart.FTLN 0714Pernicious Protector, dangerous peer,FTLN 0715That smooth’st it so with king and commonweal!GLOUCESTERFTLN 0716What, cardinal, is your priesthood grownFTLN 0717peremptory?FTLN 071825Tantaene animis caelestibus irae?FTLN 0719Churchmen so hot? Good uncle, hide such malice.FTLN 0720With such holiness, can you do it?SUFFOLKFTLN 0721No malice, sir, no more than well becomesFTLN 0722So good a quarrel and so bad a peer.GLOUCESTERFTLN 072330As who, my lord?SUFFOLKFTLN 0724Why, as you, my lord,FTLN 0725An ’t like your lordly Lord Protectorship.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0726Why, Suffolk, England knows thine insolence.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 0727And thy ambition, Gloucester.KING HENRYFTLN 072835I prithee peace,FTLN 0729Good queen, and whet not on these furious peers,FTLN 0730For blessèd are the peacemakers on Earth.CARDINALFTLN 0731Let me be blessèd for the peace I makeFTLN 0732Against this proud Protector with my sword!GLOUCESTER, aside to CardinalFTLN 073340Faith, holy uncle, would ’t were come to that!CARDINAL, aside to GloucesterFTLN 0734Marry, when thouFTLN 0735dar’st!GLOUCESTER, aside to CardinalFTLN 0736Make up no factious numbers for the matter.FTLN 0737In thine own person answer thy abuse.

63

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 2. SC. 1

CARDINAL, aside to GloucesterFTLN 073845Ay, where thou dar’st not peep. An if thou dar’st,FTLN 0739This evening, on the east side of the grove.KING HENRYFTLN 0740How now, my lords?CARDINALFTLN 0741Believe me, cousin Gloucester,FTLN 0742Had not your man put up the fowl so suddenly,FTLN 074350We had had more sport.(Aside to Gloucester.)FTLN 0744Come with thy two-hand sword.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0745True, uncle.(Aside to Cardinal.) Are you advised?FTLN 0746The east side of the grove.CARDINAL, aside to GloucesterFTLN 0747I am with you.KING HENRYFTLN 074855Why, how now, uncle Gloucester?GLOUCESTERFTLN 0749Talking of hawking; nothing else, my lord.FTLN 0750(Aside to Cardinal.)Now, by God’s mother, priest,FTLN 0751I’ll shave your crown for this,FTLN 0752Or all my fence shall fail.CARDINAL, aside to GloucesterFTLN 075360Medice, teipsum;FTLN 0754Protector, see to ’t well; protect yourself.KING HENRYFTLN 0755The winds grow high; so do your stomachs, lords.FTLN 0756How irksome is this music to my heart!FTLN 0757When such strings jar, what hope of harmony?FTLN 075865I pray, my lords, let me compound this strife.

Enter a man from St. Albans crying “A miracle!”

GLOUCESTERFTLN 0759What means this noise?—FTLN 0760Fellow, what miracle dost thou proclaim?MANFTLN 0761A miracle, a miracle!SUFFOLKFTLN 0762Come to the King, and tell him what miracle.MANFTLN 076370Forsooth, a blind man at Saint Alban’s shrine

65

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 2. SC. 1

FTLN 0764Within this half hour hath received his sight,FTLN 0765A man that ne’er saw in his life before.KING HENRYFTLN 0766Now, God be praised, that to believing soulsFTLN 0767Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair.

Enter the Mayor of Saint Albans, and his brethren,bearing the man Simpcox between two in a chair,followed by Simpcox’s Wife and Others.

CARDINALFTLN 076875Here comes the townsmen on processionFTLN 0769To present your Highness with the man.KING HENRYFTLN 0770Great is his comfort in this earthly vale,FTLN 0771Although by his sight his sin be multiplied.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0772Stand by, my masters.—Bring him near the King.FTLN 077380His Highness’ pleasure is to talk with him.The two bearers bring the chair forward.KING HENRYFTLN 0774Good fellow, tell us here the circumstance,FTLN 0775That we for thee may glorify the Lord.FTLN 0776What, hast thou been long blind and now restored?SIMPCOXFTLN 0777Born blind, an ’t please your Grace.WIFEFTLN 077885Ay, indeed, was he.SUFFOLKFTLN 0779What woman is this?WIFEFTLN 0780His wife, an ’t like your Worship.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0781Hadst thou been his mother, thou couldstFTLN 0782have better told.KING HENRYFTLN 078390Where wert thou born?SIMPCOXFTLN 0784At Berwick in the North, an ’t like your Grace.KING HENRYFTLN 0785Poor soul, God’s goodness hath been great to thee.FTLN 0786Let never day nor night unhallowed pass,FTLN 0787But still remember what the Lord hath done.

67

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 2. SC. 1

QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 078895Tell me, good fellow, cam’st thou here by chance,FTLN 0789Or of devotion to this holy shrine?SIMPCOXFTLN 0790God knows, of pure devotion, being calledFTLN 0791A hundred times and oftener in my sleepFTLN 0792By good Saint Alban, who said “Simon, come,FTLN 0793100Come, offer at my shrine, and I will help thee.”WIFEFTLN 0794Most true, forsooth, and many time and oftFTLN 0795Myself have heard a voice to call him so.CARDINALFTLN 0796What, art thou lame?SIMPCOXFTLN 0797Ay, God Almighty help me!SUFFOLKFTLN 0798105How cam’st thou so?SIMPCOXFTLN 0799A fall off of a tree.WIFEFTLN 0800A plum tree, master.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0801How long hast thou been blind?SIMPCOXFTLN 0802O, born so, master.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0803110What, and wouldst climb a tree?SIMPCOXFTLN 0804But that in all my life, when I was a youth.WIFEFTLN 0805Too true, and bought his climbing very dear.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0806Mass, thou lov’dst plums well, thatFTLN 0807wouldst venture so.SIMPCOXFTLN 0808115Alas, good master, my wife desired someFTLN 0809damsons, and made me climb, with danger of myFTLN 0810life.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0811A subtle knave, but yet it shall not serve.—FTLN 0812Let me see thine eyes. Wink now. Now open them.FTLN 0813120In my opinion, yet thou seest not well.SIMPCOXFTLN 0814Yes, master, clear as day, I thank God andFTLN 0815Saint Alban.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0816Sayst thou me so? What color is this cloak of?SIMPCOXFTLN 0817Red, master, red as blood.

69

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 2. SC. 1

GLOUCESTERFTLN 0818125Why, that’s well said. What color is my gown of?SIMPCOXFTLN 0819Black, forsooth, coal-black as jet.KING HENRYFTLN 0820Why, then, thou know’st what color jet is of.SUFFOLKFTLN 0821And yet, I think, jet did he never see.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0822But cloaks and gowns, before this day, a many.WIFEFTLN 0823130Never, before this day, in all his life.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0824Tell me, sirrah, what’s my name?SIMPCOXFTLN 0825Alas, master, I know not.GLOUCESTER, pointingFTLN 0826What’s his name?SIMPCOXFTLN 0827I know not.GLOUCESTER, pointing to someone elseFTLN 0828135Nor his?SIMPCOXFTLN 0829No, indeed, master.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0830What’s thine own name?SIMPCOXFTLN 0831Sander Simpcox, an if it please you, master.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0832Then, Sander, sit there, the lying’st knaveFTLN 0833140in Christendom. If thou hadst been born blind,FTLN 0834thou mightst as well have known all our names asFTLN 0835thus to name the several colors we do wear. SightFTLN 0836may distinguish of colors; but suddenly to nominateFTLN 0837them all, it is impossible.—My lords, SaintFTLN 0838145Alban here hath done a miracle; and would youFTLN 0839not think his cunning to be great that couldFTLN 0840restore this cripple to his legs again?SIMPCOXFTLN 0841O master, that you could!GLOUCESTERFTLN 0842My masters of Saint Albans, have you notFTLN 0843150beadles in your town and things called whips?MAYORFTLN 0844Yes, my lord, if it please your Grace.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0845Then send for one presently.MAYORFTLN 0846Sirrah, go fetch the beadle hither straight.A man exits.

71

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 2. SC. 1

GLOUCESTERFTLN 0847Now fetch me a stool hither by and by.FTLN 0848155One brings a stool.Now, sirrah, if you mean toFTLN 0849save yourself from whipping, leap me over thisFTLN 0850stool, and run away.SIMPCOXFTLN 0851Alas, master, I am not able to stand alone.FTLN 0852You go about to torture me in vain.

Enter a Beadle with whips.

GLOUCESTERFTLN 0853160Well, sir, we must have you find yourFTLN 0854legs.—Sirrah beadle, whip him till he leap overFTLN 0855that same stool.BEADLEFTLN 0856I will, my lord.—Come on, sirrah, off withFTLN 0857your doublet quickly.SIMPCOXFTLN 0858165Alas, master, what shall I do? I am not able toFTLN 0859stand.After the Beadle hath hit him once,he leapsover the stool and runs away; and they followand cry “A miracle!”KING HENRYFTLN 0860O God, seest Thou this, and bearest so long?QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 0861It made me laugh to see the villain run.GLOUCESTER, to the BeadleFTLN 0862Follow the knave, and take this drab away.WIFEFTLN 0863170Alas, sir, we did it for pure need.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0864Let them be whipped through every market townFTLN 0865Till they come to Berwick, from whence they came.The Beadle, Mayor, Wife, and the others fromSaint Albans exit.CARDINALFTLN 0866Duke Humphrey has done a miracle today.SUFFOLKFTLN 0867True, made the lame to leap and fly away.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0868175But you have done more miracles than I.FTLN 0869You made in a day, my lord, whole towns to fly.

73

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 2. SC. 1

Enter Buckingham.

KING HENRYFTLN 0870What tidings with our cousin Buckingham?BUCKINGHAMFTLN 0871Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold:FTLN 0872A sort of naughty persons, lewdly bent,FTLN 0873180Under the countenance and confederacyFTLN 0874Of Lady Eleanor, the Protector’s wife,FTLN 0875The ringleader and head of all this rout,FTLN 0876Have practiced dangerously against your state,FTLN 0877Dealing with witches and with conjurers,FTLN 0878185Whom we have apprehended in the fact,FTLN 0879Raising up wicked spirits from under ground,FTLN 0880Demanding of King Henry’s life and deathFTLN 0881And other of your Highness’ Privy Council,FTLN 0882As more at large your Grace shall understand.CARDINALFTLN 0883190And so, my Lord Protector, by this meansFTLN 0884Your lady is forthcoming yet at London.FTLN 0885Aside to Gloucester.This news, I think, hath turnedFTLN 0886your weapon’s edge;FTLN 0887’Tis like, my lord, you will not keep your hour.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0888195Ambitious churchman, leave to afflict my heart.FTLN 0889Sorrow and grief have vanquished all my powers,FTLN 0890And, vanquished as I am, I yield to thee,FTLN 0891Or to the meanest groom.KING HENRYFTLN 0892O God, what mischiefs work the wicked ones,FTLN 0893200Heaping confusion on their own heads thereby!QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 0894Gloucester, see here the tainture of thy nest,FTLN 0895And look thyself be faultless, thou wert best.GLOUCESTERFTLN 0896Madam, for myself, to heaven I do appeal

75

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 2. SC. 2

FTLN 0897How I have loved my king and commonweal;FTLN 0898205And, for my wife, I know not how it stands.FTLN 0899Sorry I am to hear what I have heard.FTLN 0900Noble she is; but if she have forgotFTLN 0901Honor and virtue, and conversed with suchFTLN 0902As, like to pitch, defile nobility,FTLN 0903210I banish her my bed and companyFTLN 0904And give her as a prey to law and shameFTLN 0905That hath dishonored Gloucester’s honest name.KING HENRYFTLN 0906Well, for this night we will repose us here.FTLN 0907Tomorrow toward London back again,FTLN 0908215To look into this business thoroughly,FTLN 0909And call these foul offenders to their answers,FTLN 0910And poise the cause in Justice’ equal scales,FTLN 0911Whose beam stands sure, whose rightful causeFTLN 0912prevails.Flourish. They exit.

FTLN 0923The first, Edward the Black Prince, Prince of Wales;FTLN 0924The second, William of Hatfield; and the third,FTLN 0925Lionel, Duke of Clarence; next to whomFTLN 0926Was John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster;FTLN 092715The fifth was Edmund Langley, Duke of York;FTLN 0928The sixth was Thomas of Woodstock, Duke ofFTLN 0929Gloucester;FTLN 0930William of Windsor was the seventh and last.FTLN 0931Edward the Black Prince died before his fatherFTLN 093220And left behind him Richard, his only son,FTLN 0933Who, after Edward the Third’s death, reigned asFTLN 0934kingFTLN 0935Till Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster,FTLN 0936The eldest son and heir of John of Gaunt,FTLN 093725Crowned by the name of Henry the Fourth,FTLN 0938Seized on the realm, deposed the rightful king,FTLN 0939Sent his poor queen to France, from whence sheFTLN 0940came,FTLN 0941And him to Pomfret; where, as all you know,FTLN 094230Harmless Richard was murdered traitorously.WARWICKFTLN 0943Father, the Duke hath told the truth.FTLN 0944Thus got the house of Lancaster the crown.YORKFTLN 0945Which now they hold by force and not by right;FTLN 0946For Richard, the first son’s heir, being dead,FTLN 094735The issue of the next son should have reigned.SALISBURYFTLN 0948But William of Hatfield died without an heir.YORKFTLN 0949The third son, Duke of Clarence, from whose lineFTLN 0950I claim the crown, had issue, Philippa, a daughter,FTLN 0951Who married Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March.FTLN 095240Edmund had issue, Roger, Earl of March;FTLN 0953Roger had issue: Edmund, Anne, and Eleanor.SALISBURYFTLN 0954This Edmund, in the reign of Bolingbroke,

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FTLN 0955As I have read, laid claim unto the crownFTLN 0956And, but for Owen Glendower, had been king,FTLN 095745Who kept him in captivity till he died.FTLN 0958But to the rest.YORKFTLN 0959His eldest sister, Anne,FTLN 0960My mother, being heir unto the crown,FTLN 0961Married Richard, Earl of Cambridge, who was sonFTLN 096250To Edmund Langley, Edward the Third’s fifth son.FTLN 0963By her I claim the kingdom. She was heirFTLN 0964To Roger, Earl of March, who was the sonFTLN 0965Of Edmund Mortimer, who married Philippa,FTLN 0966Sole daughter unto Lionel, Duke of Clarence.FTLN 096755So, if the issue of the elder sonFTLN 0968Succeed before the younger, I am king.WARWICKFTLN 0969What plain proceedings is more plain than this?FTLN 0970Henry doth claim the crown from John of Gaunt,FTLN 0971The fourth son; York claims it from the third.FTLN 097260Till Lionel’s issue fails, his should not reign.FTLN 0973It fails not yet, but flourishes in theeFTLN 0974And in thy sons, fair slips of such a stock.FTLN 0975Then, father Salisbury, kneel we together,FTLN 0976And in this private plot be we the firstFTLN 097765That shall salute our rightful sovereignFTLN 0978With honor of his birthright to the crown.SALISBURY, WARWICK, kneelingFTLN 0979Long live our sovereign Richard, England’s king!YORKFTLN 0980We thank you, lords.They rise. But I am not yourFTLN 0981kingFTLN 098270Till I be crowned, and that my sword be stainedFTLN 0983With heart-blood of the house of Lancaster;FTLN 0984And that’s not suddenly to be performed,FTLN 0985But with advice and silent secrecy.FTLN 0986Do you as I do in these dangerous days:FTLN 098775Wink at the Duke of Suffolk’s insolence,

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FTLN 0988At Beaufort’s pride, at Somerset’s ambition,FTLN 0989At Buckingham, and all the crew of them,FTLN 0990Till they have snared the shepherd of the flock,FTLN 0991That virtuous prince, the good Duke Humphrey.FTLN 099280’Tis that they seek; and they, in seeking that,FTLN 0993Shall find their deaths, if York can prophesy.SALISBURYFTLN 0994My lord, break we off. We know your mind at full.WARWICKFTLN 0995My heart assures me that the Earl of WarwickFTLN 0996Shall one day make the Duke of York a king.YORKFTLN 099785And, Neville, this I do assure myself:FTLN 0998Richard shall live to make the Earl of WarwickFTLN 0999The greatest man in England but the King.They exit.

Scene3

Sound trumpets. Enter King Henry and State(Queen Margaret, Gloucester, York, Salisbury, Suffolk,and Others) with Guard, to banish the Duchess ofGloucester, who is accompanied by Margery Jourdain,Southwell, Hume, and Bolingbroke, all guarded.

KING HENRYFTLN 1000Stand forth, Dame Eleanor Cobham, Gloucester’sFTLN 1001wife.FTLN 1002In sight of God and us, your guilt is great.FTLN 1003Receive the sentence of the law for sinsFTLN 10045Such as by God’s book are adjudged to death.To Jourdain, Southwell, Hume, and Bolingbroke.FTLN 1005You four, from hence to prison back again;FTLN 1006From thence unto the place of execution:FTLN 1007The witch in Smithfield shall be burnt to ashes,FTLN 1008And you three shall be strangled on the gallows.

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FTLN 100910To DuchessYou, madam, for you are more noblyFTLN 1010born,FTLN 1011Despoilèd of your honor in your life,FTLN 1012Shall, after three days’ open penance done,FTLN 1013Live in your country here in banishmentFTLN 101415With Sir John Stanley in the Isle of Man.DUCHESSFTLN 1015Welcome is banishment. Welcome were my death.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1016Eleanor, the law, thou seest, hath judged thee.FTLN 1017I cannot justify whom the law condemns.Duchess and the other prisoners exit under guard.FTLN 1018Mine eyes are full of tears, my heart of grief.FTLN 101920Ah, Humphrey, this dishonor in thine ageFTLN 1020Will bring thy head with sorrow to the ground.—FTLN 1021I beseech your Majesty give me leave to go;FTLN 1022Sorrow would solace, and mine age would ease.KING HENRYFTLN 1023Stay, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester. Ere thou go,FTLN 102425Give up thy staff. Henry will to himselfFTLN 1025Protector be; and God shall be my hope,FTLN 1026My stay, my guide, and lantern to my feet.FTLN 1027And go in peace, Humphrey, no less belovedFTLN 1028Than when thou wert Protector to thy king.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 102930I see no reason why a king of yearsFTLN 1030Should be to be protected like a child.FTLN 1031God and King Henry govern England’s realm!—FTLN 1032Give up your staff, sir, and the King his realm.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1033My staff?—Here, noble Henry, is my staff.He puts down his staff before Henry.FTLN 103435As willingly do I the same resignFTLN 1035As e’er thy father Henry made it mine;FTLN 1036And even as willingly at thy feet I leave itFTLN 1037As others would ambitiously receive it.

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FTLN 1038Farewell, good king. When I am dead and gone,FTLN 103940May honorable peace attend thy throne.Gloucester exits.Henry picks up the staff.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1040Why, now is Henry king and Margaret queen,FTLN 1041And Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, scarce himself,FTLN 1042That bears so shrewd a maim. Two pulls at once:FTLN 1043His lady banished and a limb lopped off.FTLN 104445This staff of honor raught, there let it standFTLN 1045Where it best fits to be, in Henry’s hand.SUFFOLKFTLN 1046Thus droops this lofty pine and hangs his sprays;FTLN 1047Thus Eleanor’s pride dies in her youngest days.YORKFTLN 1048Lords, let him go.—Please it your Majesty,FTLN 104950This is the day appointed for the combat,FTLN 1050And ready are the appellant and defendant—FTLN 1051The armorer and his man—to enter the lists,FTLN 1052So please your Highness to behold the fight.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1053Ay, good my lord, for purposely thereforFTLN 105455Left I the court to see this quarrel tried.KING HENRYFTLN 1055I’ God’s name, see the lists and all things fit.FTLN 1056Here let them end it, and God defend the right!YORKFTLN 1057I never saw a fellow worse besteadFTLN 1058Or more afraid to fight than is the appellant,FTLN 105960The servant of this armorer, my lords.

Enter at one door the Armorer Horner and hisNeighbors, drinking to him so much that he is drunk;and he enters with a Drum before him and his staff witha sandbag fastened to it; and at the other door his manPeter, with a Drum and sandbag, and Prenticesdrinking to him.

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FIRST NEIGHBORFTLN 1060Here, neighbor Horner, I drink to youFTLN 1061in a cup of sack; and fear not, neighbor, you shallFTLN 1062do well enough.SECOND NEIGHBORFTLN 1063And here, neighbor, here’s a cup ofFTLN 106465charneco.THIRD NEIGHBORFTLN 1065And here’s a pot of good double beer,FTLN 1066neighbor. Drink, and fear not your man.HORNERFTLN 1067Let it come, i’ faith, and I’ll pledge you all.FTLN 1068And a fig for Peter!They drink.FIRST PRENTICEFTLN 106970Here, Peter, I drink to thee, and be notFTLN 1070afraid.SECOND PRENTICEFTLN 1071Be merry, Peter, and fear not thyFTLN 1072master. Fight for credit of the prentices.PETERFTLN 1073I thank you all. Drink, and pray for me, I prayFTLN 107475you, for I think I have taken my last draft in thisFTLN 1075world. Here, Robin, an if I die, I give thee myFTLN 1076apron.—And, Will, thou shalt have my hammer.—FTLN 1077And here, Tom, take all the money that I have.Hedistributes his possessions.FTLN 1078O Lord, bless me, IFTLN 107980pray God, for I am never able to deal with myFTLN 1080master. He hath learnt so much fence already.SALISBURYFTLN 1081Come, leave your drinking, and fall toFTLN 1082blows. Sirrah, what’s thy name?PETERFTLN 1083Peter, forsooth.SALISBURYFTLN 108485Peter? What more?PETERFTLN 1085Thump.SALISBURYFTLN 1086Thump? Then see thou thump thy masterFTLN 1087well.HORNERFTLN 1088Masters, I am come hither, as it were, uponFTLN 108990my man’s instigation, to prove him a knave andFTLN 1090myself an honest man; and touching the Duke ofFTLN 1091York, I will take my death I never meant him anyFTLN 1092ill, nor the King, nor the Queen.—And therefore,FTLN 1093Peter, have at thee with a downright blow!YORKFTLN 109495Dispatch. This knave’s tongue begins to double.FTLN 1095Sound, trumpets. Alarum to the combatants!

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Trumpet sounds.They fight, and Peter strikes him down.HORNERFTLN 1096Hold, Peter, hold! I confess, I confess treason.He dies.YORKFTLN 1097Take away his weapon.—Fellow, thank God andFTLN 1098the good wine in thy master’s way.PETERFTLN 1099100O God, have I overcome mine enemies in thisFTLN 1100presence? O Peter, thou hast prevailed in right!KING HENRYFTLN 1101Go, take hence that traitor from our sight;FTLN 1102For by his death we do perceive his guilt.FTLN 1103And God in justice hath revealed to usFTLN 1104105The truth and innocence of this poor fellow,FTLN 1105Which he had thought to have murderedFTLN 1106wrongfully.—FTLN 1107Come, fellow, follow us for thy reward.Sound a flourish. They exit, bearing Horner’s body.

Scene4

Enter Duke Humphrey of Gloucester and his Men,in mourning cloaks.

GLOUCESTERFTLN 1108Thus sometimes hath the brightest day a cloud,FTLN 1109And after summer evermore succeedsFTLN 1110Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold;FTLN 1111So cares and joys abound, as seasons fleet.FTLN 11125Sirs, what’s o’clock?SERVANTFTLN 1113Ten, my lord.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1114Ten is the hour that was appointed meFTLN 1115To watch the coming of my punished duchess.FTLN 1116Uneath may she endure the flinty streets,FTLN 111710To tread them with her tender-feeling feet.FTLN 1118Sweet Nell, ill can thy noble mind abrook

Enter the Duchess of Gloucester, barefoot, and in awhite sheet, with papers pinned to her back and ataper burning in her hand, with Sir John Stanley,the Sheriff, and Officers.

SERVANTFTLN 1125So please your Grace, we’ll take her from the Sheriff.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1126No, stir not for your lives. Let her pass by.DUCHESSFTLN 112720Come you, my lord, to see my open shame?FTLN 1128Now thou dost penance too. Look how they gaze!FTLN 1129See how the giddy multitude do point,FTLN 1130And nod their heads, and throw their eyes on thee.FTLN 1131Ah, Gloucester, hide thee from their hateful looks,FTLN 113225And, in thy closet pent up, rue my shame,FTLN 1133And ban thine enemies, both mine and thine.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1134Be patient, gentle Nell. Forget this grief.DUCHESSFTLN 1135Ah, Gloucester, teach me to forget myself!FTLN 1136For whilst I think I am thy married wifeFTLN 113730And thou a prince, Protector of this land,FTLN 1138Methinks I should not thus be led along,FTLN 1139Mailed up in shame, with papers on my back,FTLN 1140And followed with a rabble that rejoiceFTLN 1141To see my tears and hear my deep-fet groans.FTLN 114235The ruthless flint doth cut my tender feet,FTLN 1143And when I start, the envious people laugh

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FTLN 1144And bid me be advisèd how I tread.FTLN 1145Ah, Humphrey, can I bear this shameful yoke?FTLN 1146Trowest thou that e’er I’ll look upon the worldFTLN 114740Or count them happy that enjoys the sun?FTLN 1148No, dark shall be my light, and night my day.FTLN 1149To think upon my pomp shall be my hell.FTLN 1150Sometimes I’ll say I am Duke Humphrey’s wifeFTLN 1151And he a prince and ruler of the land;FTLN 115245Yet so he ruled and such a prince he wasFTLN 1153As he stood by whilst I, his forlorn duchess,FTLN 1154Was made a wonder and a pointing-stockFTLN 1155To every idle rascal follower.FTLN 1156But be thou mild, and blush not at my shame,FTLN 115750Nor stir at nothing till the ax of deathFTLN 1158Hang over thee, as, sure, it shortly will.FTLN 1159For Suffolk, he that can do all in allFTLN 1160With her that hateth thee and hates us all,FTLN 1161And York and impious Beaufort, that false priest,FTLN 116255Have all limed bushes to betray thy wings;FTLN 1163And fly thou how thou canst, they’ll tangle thee.FTLN 1164But fear not thou until thy foot be snared,FTLN 1165Nor never seek prevention of thy foes.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1166Ah, Nell, forbear. Thou aimest all awry.FTLN 116760I must offend before I be attainted;FTLN 1168And had I twenty times so many foes,FTLN 1169And each of them had twenty times their power,FTLN 1170All these could not procure me any scatheFTLN 1171So long as I am loyal, true, and crimeless.FTLN 117265Wouldst have me rescue thee from this reproach?FTLN 1173Why, yet thy scandal were not wiped away,FTLN 1174But I in danger for the breach of law.FTLN 1175Thy greatest help is quiet, gentle Nell.FTLN 1176I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience;FTLN 117770These few days’ wonder will be quickly worn.

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Enter a Herald.

HERALDFTLN 1178I summon your Grace to his Majesty’s ParliamentFTLN 1179Holden at Bury the first of this next month.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1180And my consent ne’er asked herein before?FTLN 1181This is close dealing. Well, I will be there.Herald exits.FTLN 118275My Nell, I take my leave.—And, master sheriff,FTLN 1183Let not her penance exceed the King’s commission.SHERIFFFTLN 1184An ’t please your Grace, here my commission stays,FTLN 1185And Sir John Stanley is appointed nowFTLN 1186To take her with him to the Isle of Man.GLOUCESTERFTLN 118780Must you, Sir John, protect my lady here?STANLEYFTLN 1188So am I given in charge, may ’t please your Grace.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1189Entreat her not the worse in that I prayFTLN 1190You use her well. The world may laugh again,FTLN 1191And I may live to do you kindness, ifFTLN 119285You do it her. And so, Sir John, farewell.DUCHESSFTLN 1193What, gone, my lord, and bid me not farewell?GLOUCESTERFTLN 1194Witness my tears. I cannot stay to speak.Gloucester exits with his Men.DUCHESSFTLN 1195Art thou gone too? All comfort go with thee,FTLN 1196For none abides with me. My joy is death—FTLN 119790Death, at whose name I oft have been afeard,FTLN 1198Because I wished this world’s eternity.—FTLN 1199Stanley, I prithee, go, and take me hence.FTLN 1200I care not whither, for I beg no favor;FTLN 1201Only convey me where thou art commanded.

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STANLEYFTLN 120295Why, madam, that is to the Isle of Man,FTLN 1203There to be used according to your state.DUCHESSFTLN 1204That’s bad enough, for I am but reproach.FTLN 1205And shall I, then, be used reproachfully?STANLEYFTLN 1206Like to a duchess and Duke Humphrey’s lady;FTLN 1207100According to that state you shall be used.DUCHESSFTLN 1208Sheriff, farewell, and better than I fare,FTLN 1209Although thou hast been conduct of my shame.SHERIFFFTLN 1210It is my office; and, madam, pardon me.DUCHESSFTLN 1211Ay, ay, farewell. Thy office is discharged.The Sheriff and Officers exit.FTLN 1212105Come, Stanley, shall we go?STANLEYFTLN 1213Madam, your penance done, throw off this sheet,FTLN 1214And go we to attire you for our journey.DUCHESSFTLN 1215My shame will not be shifted with my sheet.FTLN 1216No, it will hang upon my richest robesFTLN 1217110And show itself, attire me how I can.FTLN 1218Go, lead the way. I long to see my prison.They exit.

KING HENRYFTLN 1219I muse my lord of Gloucester is not come.FTLN 1220’Tis not his wont to be the hindmost man,FTLN 1221Whate’er occasion keeps him from us now.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1222Can you not see, or will you not observe,FTLN 12235The strangeness of his altered countenance?FTLN 1224With what a majesty he bears himself,FTLN 1225How insolent of late he is become,FTLN 1226How proud, how peremptory, and unlike himself?FTLN 1227We know the time since he was mild and affable;FTLN 122810And if we did but glance a far-off look,FTLN 1229Immediately he was upon his knee,FTLN 1230That all the court admired him for submission.FTLN 1231But meet him now, and, be it in the mornFTLN 1232When everyone will give the time of day,FTLN 123315He knits his brow and shows an angry eyeFTLN 1234And passeth by with stiff unbowèd knee,FTLN 1235Disdaining duty that to us belongs.FTLN 1236Small curs are not regarded when they grin,FTLN 1237But great men tremble when the lion roars—FTLN 123820And Humphrey is no little man in England.

101

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FTLN 1239First, note that he is near you in descent,FTLN 1240And, should you fall, he is the next will mount.FTLN 1241Meseemeth then it is no policy,FTLN 1242Respecting what a rancorous mind he bearsFTLN 124325And his advantage following your decease,FTLN 1244That he should come about your royal personFTLN 1245Or be admitted to your Highness’ Council.FTLN 1246By flattery hath he won the Commons’ hearts;FTLN 1247And when he please to make commotion,FTLN 124830’Tis to be feared they all will follow him.FTLN 1249Now ’tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted;FTLN 1250Suffer them now, and they’ll o’ergrow the gardenFTLN 1251And choke the herbs for want of husbandry.FTLN 1252The reverent care I bear unto my lordFTLN 125335Made me collect these dangers in the Duke.FTLN 1254If it be fond, call it a woman’s fear,FTLN 1255Which fear, if better reasons can supplant,FTLN 1256I will subscribe and say I wronged the Duke.FTLN 1257My lords of Suffolk, Buckingham, and York,FTLN 125840Reprove my allegation if you can,FTLN 1259Or else conclude my words effectual.SUFFOLKFTLN 1260Well hath your Highness seen into this duke,FTLN 1261And, had I first been put to speak my mind,FTLN 1262I think I should have told your Grace’s tale.FTLN 126345The Duchess by his subornation,FTLN 1264Upon my life, began her devilish practices;FTLN 1265Or if he were not privy to those faults,FTLN 1266Yet, by reputing of his high descent—FTLN 1267As next the King he was successive heir,FTLN 126850And such high vaunts of his nobility—FTLN 1269Did instigate the bedlam brainsick duchessFTLN 1270By wicked means to frame our sovereign’s fall.FTLN 1271Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep,FTLN 1272And in his simple show he harbors treason.FTLN 127355The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb.

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FTLN 1274No, no, my sovereign, Gloucester is a manFTLN 1275Unsounded yet and full of deep deceit.CARDINALFTLN 1276Did he not, contrary to form of law,FTLN 1277Devise strange deaths for small offenses done?YORKFTLN 127860And did he not, in his protectorship,FTLN 1279Levy great sums of money through the realmFTLN 1280For soldiers’ pay in France, and never sent it,FTLN 1281By means whereof the towns each day revolted?BUCKINGHAMFTLN 1282Tut, these are petty faults to faults unknown,FTLN 128365Which time will bring to light in smooth DukeFTLN 1284Humphrey.KING HENRYFTLN 1285My lords, at once: the care you have of usFTLN 1286To mow down thorns that would annoy our footFTLN 1287Is worthy praise; but, shall I speak my conscience,FTLN 128870Our kinsman Gloucester is as innocentFTLN 1289From meaning treason to our royal personFTLN 1290As is the sucking lamb or harmless dove.FTLN 1291The Duke is virtuous, mild, and too well givenFTLN 1292To dream on evil or to work my downfall.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 129375Ah, what’s more dangerous than this fond affiance?FTLN 1294Seems he a dove? His feathers are but borrowed,FTLN 1295For he’s disposèd as the hateful raven.FTLN 1296Is he a lamb? His skin is surely lent him,FTLN 1297For he’s inclined as is the ravenous wolves.FTLN 129880Who cannot steal a shape that means deceit?FTLN 1299Take heed, my lord; the welfare of us allFTLN 1300Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man.

Enter Somerset.

SOMERSETFTLN 1301All health unto my gracious sovereign!

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KING HENRYFTLN 1302Welcome, Lord Somerset. What news from France?SOMERSETFTLN 130385That all your interest in those territoriesFTLN 1304Is utterly bereft you. All is lost.KING HENRYFTLN 1305Cold news, Lord Somerset; but God’s will be done.YORK, asideFTLN 1306Cold news for me, for I had hope of FranceFTLN 1307As firmly as I hope for fertile England.FTLN 130890Thus are my blossoms blasted in the bud,FTLN 1309And caterpillars eat my leaves away.FTLN 1310But I will remedy this gear ere long,FTLN 1311Or sell my title for a glorious grave.

Enter Gloucester.

GLOUCESTERFTLN 1312All happiness unto my lord the King!FTLN 131395Pardon, my liege, that I have stayed so long.SUFFOLKFTLN 1314Nay, Gloucester, know that thou art come too soon,FTLN 1315Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art.FTLN 1316I do arrest thee of high treason here.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1317Well, Suffolk, thou shalt not see me blushFTLN 1318100Nor change my countenance for this arrest.FTLN 1319A heart unspotted is not easily daunted.FTLN 1320The purest spring is not so free from mudFTLN 1321As I am clear from treason to my sovereign.FTLN 1322Who can accuse me? Wherein am I guilty?YORKFTLN 1323105’Tis thought, my lord, that you took bribes of FranceFTLN 1324And, being Protector, stayed the soldiers’ pay,FTLN 1325By means whereof his Highness hath lost France.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1326Is it but thought so? What are they that think it?

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FTLN 1327I never robbed the soldiers of their payFTLN 1328110Nor ever had one penny bribe from France.FTLN 1329So help me God as I have watched the night—FTLN 1330Ay, night by night—in studying good for England!FTLN 1331That doit that e’er I wrested from the King,FTLN 1332Or any groat I hoarded to my use,FTLN 1333115Be brought against me at my trial day!FTLN 1334No, many a pound of mine own proper store,FTLN 1335Because I would not tax the needy Commons,FTLN 1336Have I dispursèd to the garrisonsFTLN 1337And never asked for restitution.CARDINALFTLN 1338120It serves you well, my lord, to say so much.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1339I say no more than truth, so help me God.YORKFTLN 1340In your protectorship, you did deviseFTLN 1341Strange tortures for offenders, never heard of,FTLN 1342That England was defamed by tyranny.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1343125Why, ’tis well known that whiles I was Protector,FTLN 1344Pity was all the fault that was in me;FTLN 1345For I should melt at an offender’s tears,FTLN 1346And lowly words were ransom for their fault.FTLN 1347Unless it were a bloody murdererFTLN 1348130Or foul felonious thief that fleeced poor passengers,FTLN 1349I never gave them condign punishment.FTLN 1350Murder indeed, that bloody sin, I torturedFTLN 1351Above the felon or what trespass else.SUFFOLKFTLN 1352My lord, these faults are easy, quickly answered;FTLN 1353135But mightier crimes are laid unto your chargeFTLN 1354Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself.FTLN 1355I do arrest you in his Highness’ name,FTLN 1356And here commit you to my Lord CardinalFTLN 1357To keep until your further time of trial.

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KING HENRYFTLN 1358140My lord of Gloucester, ’tis my special hopeFTLN 1359That you will clear yourself from all suspense.FTLN 1360My conscience tells me you are innocent.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1361Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous.FTLN 1362Virtue is choked with foul ambition,FTLN 1363145And charity chased hence by rancor’s hand;FTLN 1364Foul subornation is predominant,FTLN 1365And equity exiled your Highness’ land.FTLN 1366I know their complot is to have my life;FTLN 1367And if my death might make this island happyFTLN 1368150And prove the period of their tyranny,FTLN 1369I would expend it with all willingness.FTLN 1370But mine is made the prologue to their play;FTLN 1371For thousands more, that yet suspect no peril,FTLN 1372Will not conclude their plotted tragedy.FTLN 1373155Beaufort’s red sparkling eyes blab his heart’s malice,FTLN 1374And Suffolk’s cloudy brow his stormy hate;FTLN 1375Sharp Buckingham unburdens with his tongueFTLN 1376The envious load that lies upon his heart;FTLN 1377And dogged York, that reaches at the moon,FTLN 1378160Whose overweening arm I have plucked back,FTLN 1379By false accuse doth level at my life.—FTLN 1380And you, my sovereign lady, with the rest,FTLN 1381Causeless have laid disgraces on my headFTLN 1382And with your best endeavor have stirred upFTLN 1383165My liefest liege to be mine enemy.FTLN 1384Ay, all of you have laid your heads together—FTLN 1385Myself had notice of your conventicles—FTLN 1386And all to make away my guiltless life.FTLN 1387I shall not want false witness to condemn meFTLN 1388170Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt.FTLN 1389The ancient proverb will be well effected:FTLN 1390“A staff is quickly found to beat a dog.”

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CARDINALFTLN 1391My liege, his railing is intolerable.FTLN 1392If those that care to keep your royal personFTLN 1393175From treason’s secret knife and traitor’s rageFTLN 1394Be thus upbraided, chid, and rated at,FTLN 1395And the offender granted scope of speech,FTLN 1396’Twill make them cool in zeal unto your Grace.SUFFOLKFTLN 1397Hath he not twit our sovereign lady hereFTLN 1398180With ignominious words, though clerkly couched,FTLN 1399As if she had subornèd some to swearFTLN 1400False allegations to o’erthrow his state?QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1401But I can give the loser leave to chide.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1402Far truer spoke than meant. I lose, indeed;FTLN 1403185Beshrew the winners, for they played me false!FTLN 1404And well such losers may have leave to speak.BUCKINGHAMFTLN 1405He’ll wrest the sense and hold us here all day.FTLN 1406Lord Cardinal, he is your prisoner.CARDINAL, to his MenFTLN 1407Sirs, take away the Duke, and guard him sure.GLOUCESTERFTLN 1408190Ah, thus King Henry throws away his crutchFTLN 1409Before his legs be firm to bear his body.—FTLN 1410Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side,FTLN 1411And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first.FTLN 1412Ah, that my fear were false; ah, that it were!FTLN 1413195For, good King Henry, thy decay I fear.Gloucester exits, guarded by Cardinal’s Men.KING HENRYFTLN 1414My lords, what to your wisdoms seemeth bestFTLN 1415Do, or undo, as if ourself were here.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1416What, will your Highness leave the Parliament?

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KING HENRYFTLN 1417Ay, Margaret. My heart is drowned with grief,FTLN 1418200Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes,FTLN 1419My body round engirt with misery;FTLN 1420For what’s more miserable than discontent?FTLN 1421Ah, uncle Humphrey, in thy face I seeFTLN 1422The map of honor, truth, and loyalty;FTLN 1423205And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to comeFTLN 1424That e’er I proved thee false or feared thy faith.FTLN 1425What louring star now envies thy estateFTLN 1426That these great lords and Margaret our queenFTLN 1427Do seek subversion of thy harmless life?FTLN 1428210Thou never didst them wrong nor no man wrong.FTLN 1429And as the butcher takes away the calfFTLN 1430And binds the wretch and beats it when it strains,FTLN 1431Bearing it to the bloody slaughterhouse,FTLN 1432Even so remorseless have they borne him hence;FTLN 1433215And as the dam runs lowing up and down,FTLN 1434Looking the way her harmless young one went,FTLN 1435And can do naught but wail her darling’s loss,FTLN 1436Even so myself bewails good Gloucester’s caseFTLN 1437With sad unhelpful tears, and with dimmed eyesFTLN 1438220Look after him and cannot do him good,FTLN 1439So mighty are his vowèd enemies.FTLN 1440His fortunes I will weep and, ’twixt each groan,FTLN 1441Say “Who’s a traitor, Gloucester he is none.”He exits, with Buckingham, Salisbury, Warwick,and Others.Somerset steps aside.QUEEN MARGARET, to Cardinal, Suffolk, and YorkFTLN 1442Free lords, cold snow melts with the sun’s hotFTLN 1443225beams.FTLN 1444Henry my lord is cold in great affairs,FTLN 1445Too full of foolish pity; and Gloucester’s showFTLN 1446Beguiles him, as the mournful crocodileFTLN 1447With sorrow snares relenting passengers,FTLN 1448230Or as the snake, rolled in a flow’ring bank,

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FTLN 1449With shining checkered slough, doth sting a childFTLN 1450That for the beauty thinks it excellent.FTLN 1451Believe me, lords, were none more wise than I—FTLN 1452And yet herein I judge mine own wit good—FTLN 1453235This Gloucester should be quickly rid the world,FTLN 1454To rid us from the fear we have of him.CARDINALFTLN 1455That he should die is worthy policy,FTLN 1456But yet we want a color for his death.FTLN 1457’Tis meet he be condemned by course of law.SUFFOLKFTLN 1458240But, in my mind, that were no policy.FTLN 1459The King will labor still to save his life,FTLN 1460The Commons haply rise to save his life,FTLN 1461And yet we have but trivial argument,FTLN 1462More than mistrust, that shows him worthy death.YORKFTLN 1463245So that, by this, you would not have him die.SUFFOLKFTLN 1464Ah, York, no man alive so fain as I!YORKFTLN 1465’Tis York that hath more reason for his death.FTLN 1466But, my Lord Cardinal, and you, my lord of Suffolk,FTLN 1467Say as you think, and speak it from your souls:FTLN 1468250Were ’t not all one an empty eagle were setFTLN 1469To guard the chicken from a hungry kiteFTLN 1470As place Duke Humphrey for the King’s Protector?QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1471So the poor chicken should be sure of death.SUFFOLKFTLN 1472Madam, ’tis true; and were ’t not madness thenFTLN 1473255To make the fox surveyor of the fold—FTLN 1474Who, being accused a crafty murderer,FTLN 1475His guilt should be but idly posted overFTLN 1476Because his purpose is not executed?FTLN 1477No, let him die in that he is a fox,

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FTLN 1478260By nature proved an enemy to the flock,FTLN 1479Before his chaps be stained with crimson blood,FTLN 1480As Humphrey, proved by reasons, to my liege.FTLN 1481And do not stand on quillets how to slay him—FTLN 1482Be it by gins, by snares, by subtlety,FTLN 1483265Sleeping or waking. ’Tis no matter how,FTLN 1484So he be dead; for that is good deceitFTLN 1485Which mates him first that first intends deceit.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1486Thrice noble Suffolk, ’tis resolutely spoke.SUFFOLKFTLN 1487Not resolute, except so much were done,FTLN 1488270For things are often spoke and seldom meant;FTLN 1489But that my heart accordeth with my tongue,FTLN 1490Seeing the deed is meritorious,FTLN 1491And to preserve my sovereign from his foe,FTLN 1492Say but the word and I will be his priest.CARDINALFTLN 1493275But I would have him dead, my lord of Suffolk,FTLN 1494Ere you can take due orders for a priest.FTLN 1495Say you consent and censure well the deed,FTLN 1496And I’ll provide his executioner.FTLN 1497I tender so the safety of my liege.SUFFOLKFTLN 1498280Here is my hand. The deed is worthy doing.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1499And so say I.YORKFTLN 1500And I. And now we three have spoke it,FTLN 1501It skills not greatly who impugns our doom.

FTLN 1506Before the wound do grow uncurable;FTLN 1507For, being green, there is great hope of help.He exits.CARDINALFTLN 1508290A breach that craves a quick expedient stop!FTLN 1509What counsel give you in this weighty cause?YORKFTLN 1510That Somerset be sent as regent thither.FTLN 1511’Tis meet that lucky ruler be employed—FTLN 1512Witness the fortune he hath had in France.SOMERSET, advancingFTLN 1513295If York, with all his far-fet policy,FTLN 1514Had been the regent there instead of me,FTLN 1515He never would have stayed in France so long.YORKFTLN 1516No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done.FTLN 1517I rather would have lost my life betimesFTLN 1518300Than bring a burden of dishonor homeFTLN 1519By staying there so long till all were lost.FTLN 1520Show me one scar charactered on thy skin.FTLN 1521Men’s flesh preserved so whole do seldom win.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1522Nay, then, this spark will prove a raging fireFTLN 1523305If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with.—FTLN 1524No more, good York.—Sweet Somerset, be still.—FTLN 1525Thy fortune, York, hadst thou been regent there,FTLN 1526Might happily have proved far worse than his.YORKFTLN 1527What, worse than naught? Nay, then, a shame takeFTLN 1528310all!SOMERSETFTLN 1529And, in the number, thee that wishest shame!CARDINALFTLN 1530My lord of York, try what your fortune is.FTLN 1531Th’ uncivil kerns of Ireland are in armsFTLN 1532And temper clay with blood of Englishmen.

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FTLN 1533315To Ireland will you lead a band of men,FTLN 1534Collected choicely, from each county some,FTLN 1535And try your hap against the Irishmen?YORKFTLN 1536I will, my lord, so please his Majesty.SUFFOLKFTLN 1537Why, our authority is his consent,FTLN 1538320And what we do establish he confirms.FTLN 1539Then, noble York, take thou this task in hand.YORKFTLN 1540I am content. Provide me soldiers, lords,FTLN 1541Whiles I take order for mine own affairs.SUFFOLKFTLN 1542A charge, Lord York, that I will see performed.FTLN 1543325But now return we to the false Duke Humphrey.CARDINALFTLN 1544No more of him, for I will deal with him,FTLN 1545That henceforth he shall trouble us no more.FTLN 1546And so break off; the day is almost spent.FTLN 1547Lord Suffolk, you and I must talk of that event.YORKFTLN 1548330My lord of Suffolk, within fourteen daysFTLN 1549At Bristow I expect my soldiers,FTLN 1550For there I’ll ship them all for Ireland.SUFFOLKFTLN 1551I’ll see it truly done, my lord of York.All but York exit.YORKFTLN 1552Now, York, or never, steel thy fearful thoughtsFTLN 1553335And change misdoubt to resolution.FTLN 1554Be that thou hop’st to be, or what thou artFTLN 1555Resign to death; it is not worth th’ enjoying.FTLN 1556Let pale-faced fear keep with the mean-born manFTLN 1557And find no harbor in a royal heart.FTLN 1558340Faster than springtime showers comes thought onFTLN 1559thought,

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FTLN 1560And not a thought but thinks on dignity.FTLN 1561My brain, more busy than the laboring spider,FTLN 1562Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies.FTLN 1563345Well, nobles, well, ’tis politicly doneFTLN 1564To send me packing with an host of men.FTLN 1565I fear me you but warm the starvèd snake,FTLN 1566Who, cherished in your breasts, will sting yourFTLN 1567hearts.FTLN 1568350’Twas men I lacked, and you will give them me;FTLN 1569I take it kindly. Yet be well assuredFTLN 1570You put sharp weapons in a madman’s hands.FTLN 1571Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band,FTLN 1572I will stir up in England some black stormFTLN 1573355Shall blow ten thousand souls to heaven or hell;FTLN 1574And this fell tempest shall not cease to rageFTLN 1575Until the golden circuit on my head,FTLN 1576Like to the glorious sun’s transparent beams,FTLN 1577Do calm the fury of this mad-bred flaw.FTLN 1578360And for a minister of my intent,FTLN 1579I have seduced a headstrong Kentishman,FTLN 1580John Cade of Ashford,FTLN 1581To make commotion, as full well he can,FTLN 1582Under the title of John Mortimer.FTLN 1583365In Ireland have I seen this stubborn CadeFTLN 1584Oppose himself against a troop of kerns,FTLN 1585And fought so long till that his thighs with dartsFTLN 1586Were almost like a sharp-quilled porpentine;FTLN 1587And in the end being rescued, I have seenFTLN 1588370Him caper upright like a wild Morisco,FTLN 1589Shaking the bloody darts as he his bells.FTLN 1590Full often, like a shag-haired crafty kern,FTLN 1591Hath he conversèd with the enemy,FTLN 1592And undiscovered come to me againFTLN 1593375And given me notice of their villainies.FTLN 1594This devil here shall be my substitute;FTLN 1595For that John Mortimer, which now is dead,

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FTLN 1596In face, in gait, in speech he doth resemble.FTLN 1597By this, I shall perceive the Commons’ mind,FTLN 1598380How they affect the house and claim of York.FTLN 1599Say he be taken, racked, and torturèd,FTLN 1600I know no pain they can inflict upon himFTLN 1601Will make him say I moved him to those arms.FTLN 1602Say that he thrive, as ’tis great like he will,FTLN 1603385Why then from Ireland come I with my strengthFTLN 1604And reap the harvest which that rascal sowed.FTLN 1605For, Humphrey being dead, as he shall be,FTLN 1606And Henry put apart, the next for me.He exits.

Scene2

Enter two or three running over the stage, from themurder of Duke Humphrey.

FIRST MURDERERFTLN 1607Run to my lord of Suffolk. Let him knowFTLN 1608We have dispatched the Duke as he commanded.SECOND MURDERERFTLN 1609O, that it were to do! What have we done?FTLN 1610Didst ever hear a man so penitent?

Enter Suffolk.

FIRST MURDERERFTLN 16115Here comes my lord.SUFFOLKFTLN 1612Now, sirs, have you dispatched this thing?FIRST MURDERERFTLN 1613Ay, my good lord, he’s dead.SUFFOLKFTLN 1614Why, that’s well said. Go, get you to my house;FTLN 1615I will reward you for this venturous deed.FTLN 161610The King and all the peers are here at hand.FTLN 1617Have you laid fair the bed? Is all things well,FTLN 1618According as I gave directions?FIRST MURDERERFTLN 1619’Tis, my good lord.SUFFOLKFTLN 1620Away, be gone.The Murderers exit.

FTLN 167165Look pale as primrose with blood-drinking sighs,FTLN 1672And all to have the noble duke alive.FTLN 1673What know I how the world may deem of me?FTLN 1674For it is known we were but hollow friends.FTLN 1675It may be judged I made the Duke away;FTLN 167670So shall my name with slander’s tongue be woundedFTLN 1677And princes’ courts be filled with my reproach.FTLN 1678This get I by his death. Ay me, unhappy,FTLN 1679To be a queen and crowned with infamy!KING HENRYFTLN 1680Ah, woe is me for Gloucester, wretched man!QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 168175Be woe for me, more wretched than he is.FTLN 1682What, dost thou turn away and hide thy face?FTLN 1683I am no loathsome leper. Look on me.FTLN 1684What, art thou, like the adder, waxen deaf?FTLN 1685Be poisonous too, and kill thy forlorn queen.FTLN 168680Is all thy comfort shut in Gloucester’s tomb?FTLN 1687Why, then, Dame Margaret was ne’er thy joy.FTLN 1688Erect his statue and worship it,FTLN 1689And make my image but an alehouse sign.FTLN 1690Was I for this nigh-wracked upon the seaFTLN 169185And twice by awkward wind from England’s bankFTLN 1692Drove back again unto my native clime?FTLN 1693What boded this, but well forewarning windFTLN 1694Did seem to say “Seek not a scorpion’s nest,FTLN 1695Nor set no footing on this unkind shore”?FTLN 169690What did I then but cursed the gentle gustsFTLN 1697And he that loosed them forth their brazen cavesFTLN 1698And bid them blow towards England’s blessèd shoreFTLN 1699Or turn our stern upon a dreadful rock?FTLN 1700Yet Aeolus would not be a murderer,FTLN 170195But left that hateful office unto thee.FTLN 1702The pretty-vaulting sea refused to drown me,FTLN 1703Knowing that thou wouldst have me drowned onFTLN 1704shore

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FTLN 1705With tears as salt as sea, through thy unkindness.FTLN 1706100The splitting rocks cow’red in the sinking sandsFTLN 1707And would not dash me with their ragged sidesFTLN 1708Because thy flinty heart, more hard than they,FTLN 1709Might in thy palace perish Margaret.FTLN 1710As far as I could ken thy chalky cliffs,FTLN 1711105When from thy shore the tempest beat us back,FTLN 1712I stood upon the hatches in the storm,FTLN 1713And when the dusky sky began to robFTLN 1714My earnest-gaping sight of thy land’s view,FTLN 1715I took a costly jewel from my neck—FTLN 1716110A heart it was, bound in with diamonds—FTLN 1717And threw it towards thy land. The sea received it,FTLN 1718And so I wished thy body might my heart.FTLN 1719And even with this I lost fair England’s view,FTLN 1720And bid mine eyes be packing with my heart,FTLN 1721115And called them blind and dusky spectaclesFTLN 1722For losing ken of Albion’s wishèd coast.FTLN 1723How often have I tempted Suffolk’s tongue,FTLN 1724The agent of thy foul inconstancy,FTLN 1725To sit and watch me, as Ascanius didFTLN 1726120When he to madding Dido would unfoldFTLN 1727His father’s acts commenced in burning Troy!FTLN 1728Am I not witched like her, or thou not false likeFTLN 1729him?FTLN 1730Ay me, I can no more. Die, Margaret,FTLN 1731125For Henry weeps that thou dost live so long.

Noise within.Enter Warwick and Salisbury,and many Commons.

WARWICKFTLN 1732It is reported, mighty sovereign,FTLN 1733That good Duke Humphrey traitorously is murderedFTLN 1734By Suffolk and the Cardinal Beaufort’s means.FTLN 1735The Commons, like an angry hive of beesFTLN 1736130That want their leader, scatter up and down

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FTLN 1737And care not who they sting in his revenge.FTLN 1738Myself have calmed their spleenful mutiny,FTLN 1739Until they hear the order of his death.KING HENRYFTLN 1740That he is dead, good Warwick, ’tis too true;FTLN 1741135But how he died God knows, not Henry.FTLN 1742Enter his chamber, view his breathless corpse,FTLN 1743And comment then upon his sudden death.WARWICKFTLN 1744That shall I do, my liege.—Stay, Salisbury,FTLN 1745With the rude multitude till I return.Warwick exits through one door; Salisbury andCommons exit through another.KING HENRYFTLN 1746140O Thou that judgest all things, stay my thoughts,FTLN 1747My thoughts that labor to persuade my soulFTLN 1748Some violent hands were laid on Humphrey’s life.FTLN 1749If my suspect be false, forgive me, God,FTLN 1750For judgment only doth belong to Thee.FTLN 1751145Fain would I go to chafe his paly lipsFTLN 1752With twenty thousand kisses, and to drainFTLN 1753Upon his face an ocean of salt tears,FTLN 1754To tell my love unto his dumb deaf trunkFTLN 1755And with my fingers feel his hand unfeeling;FTLN 1756150But all in vain are these mean obsequies.FTLN 1757And to survey his dead and earthy image,FTLN 1758What were it but to make my sorrow greater?

Bed put forth, bearing Gloucester’s body.Enter Warwick.

WARWICKFTLN 1759Come hither, gracious sovereign. View this body.KING HENRYFTLN 1760That is to see how deep my grave is made,FTLN 1761155For with his soul fled all my worldly solace;FTLN 1762For seeing him, I see my life in death.

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WARWICKFTLN 1763As surely as my soul intends to liveFTLN 1764With that dread King that took our state upon HimFTLN 1765To free us from His Father’s wrathful curse,FTLN 1766160I do believe that violent hands were laidFTLN 1767Upon the life of this thrice-famèd duke.SUFFOLKFTLN 1768A dreadful oath, sworn with a solemn tongue!FTLN 1769What instance gives Lord Warwick for his vow?WARWICKFTLN 1770See how the blood is settled in his face.FTLN 1771165Oft have I seen a timely-parted ghost,FTLN 1772Of ashy semblance, meager, pale, and bloodless,FTLN 1773Being all descended to the laboring heart,FTLN 1774Who, in the conflict that it holds with death,FTLN 1775Attracts the same for aidance ’gainst the enemy,FTLN 1776170Which with the heart there cools and ne’erFTLN 1777returnethFTLN 1778To blush and beautify the cheek again.FTLN 1779But see, his face is black and full of blood;FTLN 1780His eyeballs further out than when he lived,FTLN 1781175Staring full ghastly, like a strangled man;FTLN 1782His hair upreared, his nostrils stretched withFTLN 1783struggling;FTLN 1784His hands abroad displayed, as one that graspedFTLN 1785And tugged for life and was by strength subdued.FTLN 1786180Look, on the sheets his hair, you see, is sticking;FTLN 1787His well-proportioned beard made rough andFTLN 1788rugged,FTLN 1789Like to the summer’s corn by tempest lodged.FTLN 1790It cannot be but he was murdered here.FTLN 1791185The least of all these signs were probable.The bed is removed.SUFFOLKFTLN 1792Why, Warwick, who should do the Duke to death?

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FTLN 1793Myself and Beaufort had him in protection,FTLN 1794And we, I hope, sir, are no murderers.WARWICKFTLN 1795But both of you were vowed Duke Humphrey’s foes,FTLN 1796190To Cardinal.And you, forsooth, had the good dukeFTLN 1797to keep.FTLN 1798’Tis like you would not feast him like a friend,FTLN 1799And ’tis well seen he found an enemy.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1800Then you, belike, suspect these noblemenFTLN 1801195As guilty of Duke Humphrey’s timeless death.WARWICKFTLN 1802Who finds the heifer dead and bleeding fresh,FTLN 1803And sees fast by a butcher with an ax,FTLN 1804But will suspect ’twas he that made the slaughter?FTLN 1805Who finds the partridge in the puttock’s nestFTLN 1806200But may imagine how the bird was dead,FTLN 1807Although the kite soar with unbloodied beak?FTLN 1808Even so suspicious is this tragedy.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1809Are you the butcher, Suffolk? Where’s your knife?FTLN 1810Is Beaufort termed a kite? Where are his talons?SUFFOLKFTLN 1811205I wear no knife to slaughter sleeping men,FTLN 1812But here’s a vengeful sword, rusted with ease,FTLN 1813That shall be scoured in his rancorous heartFTLN 1814That slanders me with murder’s crimson badge.—FTLN 1815Say, if thou dar’st, proud lord of Warwickshire,FTLN 1816210That I am faulty in Duke Humphrey’s death.WARWICKFTLN 1817What dares not Warwick, if false Suffolk dare him?QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1818He dares not calm his contumelious spiritFTLN 1819Nor cease to be an arrogant controller,FTLN 1820Though Suffolk dare him twenty thousand times.

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WARWICKFTLN 1821215Madam, be still—with reverence may I say—FTLN 1822For every word you speak in his behalfFTLN 1823Is slander to your royal dignity.SUFFOLKFTLN 1824Blunt-witted lord, ignoble in demeanor!FTLN 1825If ever lady wronged her lord so much,FTLN 1826220Thy mother took into her blameful bedFTLN 1827Some stern untutored churl, and noble stockFTLN 1828Was graft with crab-tree slip, whose fruit thou artFTLN 1829And never of the Nevilles’ noble race.WARWICKFTLN 1830But that the guilt of murder bucklers theeFTLN 1831225And I should rob the deathsman of his fee,FTLN 1832Quitting thee thereby of ten thousand shames,FTLN 1833And that my sovereign’s presence makes me mild,FTLN 1834I would, false murd’rous coward, on thy kneeFTLN 1835Make thee beg pardon for thy passèd speechFTLN 1836230And say it was thy mother that thou meant’st,FTLN 1837That thou thyself wast born in bastardy;FTLN 1838And after all this fearful homage done,FTLN 1839Give thee thy hire and send thy soul to hell,FTLN 1840Pernicious bloodsucker of sleeping men!SUFFOLKFTLN 1841235Thou shalt be waking while I shed thy blood,FTLN 1842If from this presence thou dar’st go with me.WARWICKFTLN 1843Away even now, or I will drag thee hence!FTLN 1844Unworthy though thou art, I’ll cope with theeFTLN 1845And do some service to Duke Humphrey’s ghost.Warwick and Suffolk exit.KING HENRYFTLN 1846240What stronger breastplate than a heart untainted?FTLN 1847Thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just,FTLN 1848And he but naked, though locked up in steel,FTLN 1849Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted.

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A noise within.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1850What noise is this?

Enter Suffolk and Warwick, with their weapons drawn.

KING HENRYFTLN 1851245Why, how now, lords? Your wrathful weaponsFTLN 1852drawnFTLN 1853Here in our presence? Dare you be so bold?FTLN 1854Why, what tumultuous clamor have we here?SUFFOLKFTLN 1855The trait’rous Warwick, with the men of Bury,FTLN 1856250Set all upon me, mighty sovereign.

Enter Salisbury.

SALISBURY, to the offstage CommonsFTLN 1857Sirs, stand apart. The King shall know your mind.—FTLN 1858Dread lord, the Commons send you word by me,FTLN 1859Unless Lord Suffolk straight be done to deathFTLN 1860Or banishèd fair England’s territories,FTLN 1861255They will by violence tear him from your palaceFTLN 1862And torture him with grievous ling’ring death.FTLN 1863They say, by him the good duke Humphrey died;FTLN 1864They say, in him they fear your Highness’ death;FTLN 1865And mere instinct of love and loyalty,FTLN 1866260Free from a stubborn opposite intent,FTLN 1867As being thought to contradict your liking,FTLN 1868Makes them thus forward in his banishment.FTLN 1869They say, in care of your most royal person,FTLN 1870That if your Highness should intend to sleep,FTLN 1871265And charge that no man should disturb your rest,FTLN 1872In pain of your dislike or pain of death,FTLN 1873Yet, notwithstanding such a strait edict,FTLN 1874Were there a serpent seen with forkèd tongueFTLN 1875That slyly glided towards your Majesty,FTLN 1876270It were but necessary you were waked,FTLN 1877Lest, being suffered in that harmful slumber,

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FTLN 1878The mortal worm might make the sleep eternal.FTLN 1879And therefore do they cry, though you forbid,FTLN 1880That they will guard you, whe’er you will or no,FTLN 1881275From such fell serpents as false Suffolk is,FTLN 1882With whose envenomèd and fatal stingFTLN 1883Your loving uncle, twenty times his worth,FTLN 1884They say, is shamefully bereft of life.COMMONS, withinFTLN 1885An answer from the King, my lord of Salisbury!SUFFOLKFTLN 1886280’Tis like the Commons, rude unpolished hinds,FTLN 1887Could send such message to their sovereign!FTLN 1888To Salisbury.But you, my lord, were glad to beFTLN 1889employed,FTLN 1890To show how quaint an orator you are.FTLN 1891285But all the honor Salisbury hath wonFTLN 1892Is that he was the lord ambassadorFTLN 1893Sent from a sort of tinkers to the King.COMMONS, withinFTLN 1894An answer from the King, or we will all break in.KING HENRYFTLN 1895Go, Salisbury, and tell them all from me,FTLN 1896290I thank them for their tender loving care;FTLN 1897And, had I not been cited so by them,FTLN 1898Yet did I purpose as they do entreat.FTLN 1899For, sure, my thoughts do hourly prophesyFTLN 1900Mischance unto my state by Suffolk’s means.FTLN 1901295And therefore, by His Majesty I swear,FTLN 1902Whose far unworthy deputy I am,FTLN 1903He shall not breathe infection in this airFTLN 1904But three days longer, on the pain of death.Salisbury exits.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1905O Henry, let me plead for gentle Suffolk!KING HENRYFTLN 1906300Ungentle queen to call him gentle Suffolk!

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FTLN 1907No more, I say. If thou dost plead for him,FTLN 1908Thou wilt but add increase unto my wrath.FTLN 1909Had I but said, I would have kept my word;FTLN 1910But when I swear, it is irrevocable.FTLN 1911305To Suffolk.If, after three days’ space, thou hereFTLN 1912be’st foundFTLN 1913On any ground that I am ruler of,FTLN 1914The world shall not be ransom for thy life.—FTLN 1915Come, Warwick, come, good Warwick, go with me.FTLN 1916310I have great matters to impart to thee.All but the Queen and Suffolk exit.QUEEN MARGARET, calling after King Henry andWarwickFTLN 1917Mischance and sorrow go along with you!FTLN 1918Heart’s discontent and sour afflictionFTLN 1919Be playfellows to keep you company!FTLN 1920There’s two of you; the devil make a third,FTLN 1921315And threefold vengeance tend upon your steps!SUFFOLKFTLN 1922Cease, gentle queen, these execrations,FTLN 1923And let thy Suffolk take his heavy leave.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1924Fie, coward woman and soft-hearted wretch!FTLN 1925Hast thou not spirit to curse thine enemies?SUFFOLKFTLN 1926320A plague upon them! Wherefore should I curseFTLN 1927them?FTLN 1928Could curses kill, as doth the mandrake’s groan,FTLN 1929I would invent as bitter searching terms,FTLN 1930As curst, as harsh, and horrible to hear,FTLN 1931325Delivered strongly through my fixèd teeth,FTLN 1932With full as many signs of deadly hate,FTLN 1933As lean-faced Envy in her loathsome cave.FTLN 1934My tongue should stumble in mine earnest words;FTLN 1935Mine eyes should sparkle like the beaten flint;FTLN 1936330Mine hair be fixed on end, as one distract;

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ACT 3. SC. 2

FTLN 1937Ay, every joint should seem to curse and ban;FTLN 1938And even now my burdened heart would breakFTLN 1939Should I not curse them. Poison be their drink!FTLN 1940Gall, worse than gall, the daintiest that they taste;FTLN 1941335Their sweetest shade, a grove of cypress trees;FTLN 1942Their chiefest prospect, murd’ring basilisks;FTLN 1943Their softest touch, as smart as lizards’ stings!FTLN 1944Their music, frightful as the serpent’s hiss,FTLN 1945And boding screech owls make the consort full!FTLN 1946340All the foul terrors in dark-seated hell—QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1947Enough, sweet Suffolk, thou torment’st thyself,FTLN 1948And these dread curses, like the sun ’gainst glass,FTLN 1949Or like an over-chargèd gun, recoilFTLN 1950And turn the force of them upon thyself.SUFFOLKFTLN 1951345You bade me ban, and will you bid me leave?FTLN 1952Now, by the ground that I am banished from,FTLN 1953Well could I curse away a winter’s night,FTLN 1954Though standing naked on a mountain topFTLN 1955Where biting cold would never let grass grow,FTLN 1956350And think it but a minute spent in sport.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1957O, let me entreat thee cease! Give me thy hand,FTLN 1958That I may dew it with my mournful tears;FTLN 1959Nor let the rain of heaven wet this placeFTLN 1960To wash away my woeful monuments.She kisses his hand.FTLN 1961355O, could this kiss be printed in thy hand,FTLN 1962That thou mightst think upon these by the seal,FTLN 1963Through whom a thousand sighs are breathed forFTLN 1964thee!FTLN 1965So, get thee gone, that I may know my grief;FTLN 1966360’Tis but surmised whiles thou art standing by,FTLN 1967As one that surfeits thinking on a want.FTLN 1968I will repeal thee, or, be well assured,

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FTLN 1969Adventure to be banishèd myself;FTLN 1970And banishèd I am, if but from thee.FTLN 1971365Go, speak not to me. Even now be gone!FTLN 1972O, go not yet! Even thus two friends condemnedFTLN 1973Embrace and kiss and take ten thousand leaves,FTLN 1974Loather a hundred times to part than die.They embrace.FTLN 1975Yet now farewell, and farewell life with thee.SUFFOLKFTLN 1976370Thus is poor Suffolk ten times banishèd,FTLN 1977Once by the King, and three times thrice by thee.FTLN 1978’Tis not the land I care for, wert thou thence.FTLN 1979A wilderness is populous enough,FTLN 1980So Suffolk had thy heavenly company;FTLN 1981375For where thou art, there is the world itself,FTLN 1982With every several pleasure in the world;FTLN 1983And where thou art not, desolation.FTLN 1984I can no more. Live thou to joy thy life;FTLN 1985Myself no joy in naught but that thou liv’st.

Enter Vaux.

QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1986380Whither goes Vaux so fast? What news, I prithee?VAUXFTLN 1987To signify unto his Majesty,FTLN 1988That Cardinal Beaufort is at point of death;FTLN 1989For suddenly a grievous sickness took himFTLN 1990That makes him gasp and stare and catch the air,FTLN 1991385Blaspheming God and cursing men on Earth.FTLN 1992Sometimes he talks as if Duke Humphrey’s ghostFTLN 1993Were by his side; sometimes he calls the KingFTLN 1994And whispers to his pillow, as to him,FTLN 1995The secrets of his overchargèd soul.FTLN 1996390And I am sent to tell his MajestyFTLN 1997That even now he cries aloud for him.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 1998Go, tell this heavy message to the King.Vaux exits.

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ACT 3. SC. 2

FTLN 1999Ay me! What is this world? What news are these!FTLN 2000But wherefore grieve I at an hour’s poor loss,FTLN 2001395Omitting Suffolk’s exile, my soul’s treasure?FTLN 2002Why only, Suffolk, mourn I not for thee,FTLN 2003And with the southern clouds contend in tears—FTLN 2004Theirs for the earth’s increase, mine for myFTLN 2005sorrows’?FTLN 2006400Now get thee hence. The King, thou know’st, isFTLN 2007coming;FTLN 2008If thou be found by me, thou art but dead.SUFFOLKFTLN 2009If I depart from thee, I cannot live;FTLN 2010And in thy sight to die, what were it elseFTLN 2011405But like a pleasant slumber in thy lap?FTLN 2012Here could I breathe my soul into the air,FTLN 2013As mild and gentle as the cradle babeFTLN 2014Dying with mother’s dug between its lips;FTLN 2015Where, from thy sight, I should be raging madFTLN 2016410And cry out for thee to close up mine eyes,FTLN 2017To have thee with thy lips to stop my mouth.FTLN 2018So shouldst thou either turn my flying soul,FTLN 2019Or I should breathe it so into thy body,FTLN 2020And then it lived in sweet Elysium.FTLN 2021415To die by thee were but to die in jest;FTLN 2022From thee to die were torture more than death.FTLN 2023O, let me stay, befall what may befall!QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 2024Away! Though parting be a fretful corrosive,FTLN 2025It is applièd to a deathful wound.FTLN 2026420To France, sweet Suffolk. Let me hear from thee,FTLN 2027For wheresoe’er thou art in this world’s globe,FTLN 2028I’ll have an Iris that shall find thee out.SUFFOLKFTLN 2029I go.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 2030And take my heart with thee.SUFFOLKFTLN 2031425A jewel locked into the woefull’st cask

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FTLN 2032That ever did contain a thing of worth!FTLN 2033Even as a splitted bark, so sunder we.FTLN 2034This way fall I to death.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 2035This way for me.They exit through different doors.

Scene3

Enter King Henry, Salisbury and Warwick, to theCardinal in bed, raving and staring.

KING HENRYFTLN 2036How fares my lord? Speak, Beaufort, to thy sovereign.CARDINALFTLN 2037If thou be’st Death, I’ll give thee England’s treasure,FTLN 2038Enough to purchase such another island,FTLN 2039So thou wilt let me live and feel no pain.KING HENRYFTLN 20405Ah, what a sign it is of evil life,FTLN 2041Where Death’s approach is seen so terrible!WARWICKFTLN 2042Beaufort, it is thy sovereign speaks to thee.CARDINALFTLN 2043Bring me unto my trial when you will.FTLN 2044Died he not in his bed? Where should he die?FTLN 204510Can I make men live, whe’er they will or no?FTLN 2046O, torture me no more! I will confess.FTLN 2047Alive again? Then show me where he is.FTLN 2048I’ll give a thousand pound to look upon him.FTLN 2049He hath no eyes! The dust hath blinded them.FTLN 205015Comb down his hair. Look, look. It stands upright,FTLN 2051Like lime-twigs set to catch my wingèd soul.FTLN 2052Give me some drink, and bid the apothecaryFTLN 2053Bring the strong poison that I bought of him.KING HENRYFTLN 2054O, Thou eternal mover of the heavens,

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FTLN 205520Look with a gentle eye upon this wretch!FTLN 2056O, beat away the busy meddling fiendFTLN 2057That lays strong siege unto this wretch’s soul,FTLN 2058And from his bosom purge this black despair!WARWICKFTLN 2059See how the pangs of death do make him grin!SALISBURYFTLN 206025Disturb him not. Let him pass peaceably.KING HENRYFTLN 2061Peace to his soul, if God’s good pleasure be!—FTLN 2062Lord Card’nal, if thou think’st on heaven’s bliss,FTLN 2063Hold up thy hand; make signal of thy hope.The Cardinal dies.FTLN 2064He dies and makes no sign. O, God forgive him!WARWICKFTLN 206530So bad a death argues a monstrous life.KING HENRYFTLN 2066Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all.FTLN 2067Close up his eyes, and draw the curtain close,FTLN 2068And let us all to meditation.After the curtains are closed aroundthe bed, they exit. The bed is removed.

MASTERFTLN 2084A thousand crowns, or else lay down your head.MATE, to the Second GentlemanFTLN 2085And so much shall you give, or off goes yours.LIEUTENANTFTLN 2086What, think you much to pay two thousand crowns,FTLN 2087And bear the name and port of gentlemen?—FTLN 208820Cut both the villains’ throats—for die you shall;FTLN 2089The lives of those which we have lost in fightFTLN 2090Be counterpoised with such a petty sum!FIRST GENTLEMANFTLN 2091I’ll give it, sir, and therefore spare my life.SECOND GENTLEMANFTLN 2092And so will I, and write home for it straight.WHITMORE, to SuffolkFTLN 209325I lost mine eye in laying the prize aboard,FTLN 2094And therefore to revenge it shalt thou die;FTLN 2095And so should these, if I might have my will.LIEUTENANTFTLN 2096Be not so rash. Take ransom; let him live.SUFFOLKFTLN 2097Look on my George; I am a gentleman.FTLN 209830Rate me at what thou wilt, thou shalt be paid.WHITMOREFTLN 2099And so am I. My name is Walter Whitmore.Suffolk starts.FTLN 2100How now, why starts thou? What, doth deathFTLN 2101affright?SUFFOLKFTLN 2102Thy name affrights me, in whose sound is death.FTLN 210335A cunning man did calculate my birthFTLN 2104And told me that by water I should die.FTLN 2105Yet let not this make thee be bloody-minded;FTLN 2106Thy name is Gualtier, being rightly sounded.WHITMOREFTLN 2107Gualtier or Walter, which it is, I care not.

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FTLN 210840Never yet did base dishonor blur our nameFTLN 2109But with our sword we wiped away the blot.FTLN 2110Therefore, when merchantlike I sell revenge,FTLN 2111Broke be my sword, my arms torn and defaced,FTLN 2112And I proclaimed a coward through the world!SUFFOLKFTLN 211345Stay, Whitmore, for thy prisoner is a prince,FTLN 2114The Duke of Suffolk, William de la Pole.WHITMOREFTLN 2115The Duke of Suffolk muffled up in rags?SUFFOLKFTLN 2116Ay, but these rags are no part of the Duke.FTLN 2117Jove sometimes went disguised, and why not I?LIEUTENANTFTLN 211850But Jove was never slain, as thou shalt be.SUFFOLKFTLN 2119Obscure and lousy swain, King Henry’s blood,FTLN 2120The honorable blood of Lancaster,FTLN 2121Must not be shed by such a jaded groom.FTLN 2122Hast thou not kissed thy hand and held my stirrup?FTLN 212355Bareheaded plodded by my footcloth mule,FTLN 2124And thought thee happy when I shook my head?FTLN 2125How often hast thou waited at my cup,FTLN 2126Fed from my trencher, kneeled down at the board,FTLN 2127When I have feasted with Queen Margaret?FTLN 212860Remember it, and let it make thee crestfall’n,FTLN 2129Ay, and allay this thy abortive pride.FTLN 2130How in our voiding lobby hast thou stoodFTLN 2131And duly waited for my coming forth?FTLN 2132This hand of mine hath writ in thy behalf,FTLN 213365And therefore shall it charm thy riotous tongue.WHITMOREFTLN 2134Speak, captain, shall I stab the forlorn swain?LIEUTENANTFTLN 2135First let my words stab him as he hath me.

FTLN 2169By shameful murder of a guiltless kingFTLN 2170And lofty, proud, encroaching tyranny,FTLN 2171Burns with revenging fire, whose hopeful colorsFTLN 2172Advance our half-faced sun, striving to shine,FTLN 2173105Under the which is writ “Invitis nubibus.”FTLN 2174The commons here in Kent are up in arms,FTLN 2175And, to conclude, reproach and beggaryFTLN 2176Is crept into the palace of our king,FTLN 2177And all by thee.—Away! Convey him hence.SUFFOLKFTLN 2178110O, that I were a god, to shoot forth thunderFTLN 2179Upon these paltry, servile, abject drudges!FTLN 2180Small things make base men proud. This villainFTLN 2181here,FTLN 2182Being captain of a pinnace, threatens moreFTLN 2183115Than Bargulus, the strong Illyrian pirate.FTLN 2184Drones suck not eagles’ blood, but rob beehives.FTLN 2185It is impossible that I should dieFTLN 2186By such a lowly vassal as thyself.FTLN 2187Thy words move rage and not remorse in me.FTLN 2188120I go of message from the Queen to France.FTLN 2189I charge thee waft me safely cross the Channel.LIEUTENANTFTLN 2190Walter.WHITMOREFTLN 2191Come, Suffolk, I must waft thee to thy death.SUFFOLKFTLN 2192Paene gelidus timor occupat artus.FTLN 2193125It is thee I fear.WHITMOREFTLN 2194Thou shalt have cause to fear before I leave thee.FTLN 2195What, are you daunted now? Now will you stoop?FIRST GENTLEMANFTLN 2196My gracious lord, entreat him; speak him fair.SUFFOLKFTLN 2197Suffolk’s imperial tongue is stern and rough,FTLN 2198130Used to command, untaught to plead for favor.

173

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ACT 4. SC. 1

FTLN 2199Far be it we should honor such as theseFTLN 2200With humble suit. No, rather let my headFTLN 2201Stoop to the block than these knees bow to anyFTLN 2202Save to the God of heaven and to my king;FTLN 2203135And sooner dance upon a bloody poleFTLN 2204Than stand uncovered to the vulgar groom.FTLN 2205True nobility is exempt from fear.—FTLN 2206More can I bear than you dare execute.LIEUTENANTFTLN 2207Hale him away, and let him talk no more.SUFFOLKFTLN 2208140Come, soldiers, show what cruelty you can,FTLN 2209That this my death may never be forgot!FTLN 2210Great men oft die by vile bezonians:FTLN 2211A Roman sworder and banditto slaveFTLN 2212Murdered sweet Tully; Brutus’ bastard handFTLN 2213145Stabbed Julius Caesar; savage islandersFTLN 2214Pompey the Great, and Suffolk dies by pirates.Walter Whitmore exits withSuffolk and Others.LIEUTENANTFTLN 2215And as for these whose ransom we have set,FTLN 2216It is our pleasure one of them depart.FTLN 2217To Second Gentleman.Therefore come you with us,FTLN 2218150and let him go.Lieutenant and the rest exit.The First Gentleman remains.

FTLN 2223155If he revenge it not, yet will his friends.FTLN 2224So will the Queen, that living held him dear.He exits with the head and body.

Scene2

Enter Bevis and John Holland with staves.

BEVISFTLN 2225Come, and get thee a sword, though made of aFTLN 2226lath. They have been up these two days.HOLLANDFTLN 2227They have the more need to sleep now, then.BEVISFTLN 2228I tell thee, Jack Cade the clothier means to dressFTLN 22295the commonwealth, and turn it, and set a new napFTLN 2230upon it.HOLLANDFTLN 2231So he had need, for ’tis threadbare. Well, IFTLN 2232say, it was never merry world in England sinceFTLN 2233gentlemen came up.BEVISFTLN 223410O miserable age! Virtue is not regarded inFTLN 2235handicraftsmen.HOLLANDFTLN 2236The nobility think scorn to go in leatherFTLN 2237aprons.BEVISFTLN 2238Nay, more, the King’s Council are no goodFTLN 223915workmen.HOLLANDFTLN 2240True, and yet it is said “Labor in thy vocation,”FTLN 2241which is as much to say as “Let the magistratesFTLN 2242be laboring men.” And therefore should weFTLN 2243be magistrates.BEVISFTLN 224420Thou hast hit it, for there’s no better sign of aFTLN 2245brave mind than a hard hand.HOLLANDFTLN 2246I see them, I see them! There’s Best’s son, theFTLN 2247tanner of Wingham—BEVISFTLN 2248He shall have the skins of our enemies to makeFTLN 224925dog’s leather of.HOLLANDFTLN 2250And Dick the butcher—BEVISFTLN 2251Then is sin struck down like an ox, and iniquity’sFTLN 2252throat cut like a calf.

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ACT 4. SC. 2

HOLLANDFTLN 2253And Smith the weaver.BEVISFTLN 225430Argo, their thread of life is spun.HOLLANDFTLN 2255Come, come, let’s fall in with them.

Drum. Enter Cade, Dick the butcher, Smith theweaver, and a Sawyer, with infinite numbers,all with staves.

CADEFTLN 2256We, John Cade, so termed of our supposedFTLN 2257father—DICK, asideFTLN 2258Or rather of stealing a cade of herrings.CADEFTLN 225935For our enemies shall fall before us, inspiredFTLN 2260with the spirit of putting down kings and princes—FTLN 2261command silence.DICKFTLN 2262Silence!CADEFTLN 2263My father was a Mortimer—DICK, asideFTLN 226440He was an honest man and a goodFTLN 2265bricklayer.CADEFTLN 2266My mother a Plantagenet—DICK, asideFTLN 2267I knew her well; she was a midwife.CADEFTLN 2268My wife descended of the Lacys.DICK, asideFTLN 226945She was indeed a peddler’s daughter, andFTLN 2270sold many laces.SMITH, asideFTLN 2271But now of late, not able to travel withFTLN 2272her furred pack, she washes bucks here at home.CADEFTLN 2273Therefore am I of an honorable house.DICK, asideFTLN 227450Ay, by my faith, the field is honorable;FTLN 2275and there was he born, under a hedge, for hisFTLN 2276father had never a house but the cage.CADEFTLN 2277Valiant I am—SMITH, asideFTLN 2278He must needs, for beggary is valiant.CADEFTLN 227955I am able to endure much—DICK, asideFTLN 2280No question of that; for I have seen himFTLN 2281whipped three market-days together.CADEFTLN 2282I fear neither sword nor fire.SMITH, asideFTLN 2283He need not fear the sword, for his coatFTLN 228460is of proof.

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ACT 4. SC. 2

DICK, asideFTLN 2285But methinks he should stand in fear ofFTLN 2286fire, being burnt i’ th’ hand for stealing of sheep.CADEFTLN 2287Be brave, then, for your captain is brave andFTLN 2288vows reformation. There shall be in England sevenFTLN 228965halfpenny loaves sold for a penny. The three-hoopedFTLN 2290pot shall have ten hoops, and I will make itFTLN 2291felony to drink small beer. All the realm shall be inFTLN 2292common, and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go toFTLN 2293grass. And when I am king, as king I will be—ALLFTLN 229470God save your Majesty!CADEFTLN 2295I thank you, good people.—There shall be noFTLN 2296money; all shall eat and drink on my score; and IFTLN 2297will apparel them all in one livery, that they mayFTLN 2298agree like brothers and worship me their lord.DICKFTLN 229975The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.CADEFTLN 2300Nay, that I mean to do. Is not this a lamentableFTLN 2301thing, that of the skin of an innocent lamb shouldFTLN 2302be made parchment? That parchment, being scribbledFTLN 2303o’er, should undo a man? Some say the beeFTLN 230480stings, but I say, ’tis the beeswax; for I did but sealFTLN 2305once to a thing, and I was never mine own manFTLN 2306since. How now? Who’s there?

Enter a Clerk of Chartham, under guard.

SMITHFTLN 2307The clerk of Chartham. He can write and readFTLN 2308and cast account.CADEFTLN 230985O, monstrous!SMITHFTLN 2310We took him setting of boys’ copies.CADEFTLN 2311Here’s a villain!SMITHFTLN 2312H’as a book in his pocket with red letters in ’t.CADEFTLN 2313Nay, then, he is a conjurer.DICKFTLN 231490Nay, he can make obligations and write courtFTLN 2315hand.CADEFTLN 2316I am sorry for ’t. The man is a proper man, ofFTLN 2317mine honor. Unless I find him guilty, he shall not

181

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ACT 4. SC. 2

FTLN 2318die.—Come hither, sirrah; I must examine thee.FTLN 231995What is thy name?CLERKFTLN 2320Emmanuel.DICKFTLN 2321They use to write it on the top of letters.—’TwillFTLN 2322go hard with you.CADEFTLN 2323Let me alone.—Dost thou use to write thyFTLN 2324100name? Or hast thou a mark to thyself, like anFTLN 2325honest, plain-dealing man?CLERKFTLN 2326Sir, I thank God, I have been so well broughtFTLN 2327up that I can write my name.ALLFTLN 2328He hath confessed. Away with him! He’s a villainFTLN 2329105and a traitor.CADEFTLN 2330Away with him, I say! Hang him with his penFTLN 2331and inkhorn about his neck.One exits with the Clerk.

Enter Michael.

MICHAELFTLN 2332Where’s our general?CADEFTLN 2333Here I am, thou particular fellow.MICHAELFTLN 2334110Fly, fly, fly! Sir Humphrey Stafford and hisFTLN 2335brother are hard by, with the King’s forces.CADEFTLN 2336Stand, villain, stand, or I’ll fell thee down. HeFTLN 2337shall be encountered with a man as good as himself.FTLN 2338He is but a knight, is he?MICHAELFTLN 2339115No.CADEFTLN 2340To equal him I will make myself a knightFTLN 2341presently.He kneels. Rise up Sir John Mortimer.FTLN 2342He rises.Now have at him!

STAFFORDFTLN 2343Rebellious hinds, the filth and scum of Kent,FTLN 2344120Marked for the gallows, lay your weapons down!FTLN 2345Home to your cottages; forsake this groom.FTLN 2346The King is merciful, if you revolt.

183

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ACT 4. SC. 2

BROTHERFTLN 2347But angry, wrathful, and inclined to blood,FTLN 2348If you go forward. Therefore yield, or die.CADEFTLN 2349125As for these silken-coated slaves, I pass not.FTLN 2350It is to you, good people, that I speak,FTLN 2351Over whom, in time to come, I hope to reign,FTLN 2352For I am rightful heir unto the crown.STAFFORDFTLN 2353Villain, thy father was a plasterer,FTLN 2354130And thou thyself a shearman, art thou not?CADEFTLN 2355And Adam was a gardener.BROTHERFTLN 2356And what of that?CADEFTLN 2357Marry, this: Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March,FTLN 2358Married the Duke of Clarence’ daughter, did he not?STAFFORDFTLN 2359135Ay, sir.CADEFTLN 2360By her he had two children at one birth.BROTHERFTLN 2361That’s false.CADEFTLN 2362Ay, there’s the question. But I say ’tis true.FTLN 2363The elder of them, being put to nurse,FTLN 2364140Was by a beggar-woman stol’n away,FTLN 2365And, ignorant of his birth and parentage,FTLN 2366Became a bricklayer when he came to age.FTLN 2367His son am I. Deny it if you can.DICKFTLN 2368Nay, ’tis too true. Therefore he shall be king.SMITHFTLN 2369145Sir, he made a chimney in my father’s house,FTLN 2370and the bricks are alive at this day to testify it.FTLN 2371Therefore deny it not.STAFFORDFTLN 2372And will you credit this base drudge’s words,FTLN 2373That speaks he knows not what?

185

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 4. SC. 2

ALLFTLN 2374150Ay, marry, will we. Therefore get you gone.BROTHERFTLN 2375Jack Cade, the Duke of York hath taught you this.CADEFTLN 2376He lies,aside for I invented it myself.—Go to,FTLN 2377sirrah. Tell the King from me that, for his father’sFTLN 2378sake, Henry the Fifth, in whose time boys went toFTLN 2379155span-counter for French crowns, I am content heFTLN 2380shall reign, but I’ll be Protector over him.DICKFTLN 2381And, furthermore, we’ll have the Lord Saye’sFTLN 2382head for selling the dukedom of Maine.CADEFTLN 2383And good reason: for thereby is England mainedFTLN 2384160and fain to go with a staff, but that my puissanceFTLN 2385holds it up. Fellow kings, I tell you that that LordFTLN 2386Saye hath gelded the commonwealth and made itFTLN 2387an eunuch; and, more than that, he can speakFTLN 2388French, and therefore he is a traitor.STAFFORDFTLN 2389165O, gross and miserable ignorance!CADEFTLN 2390Nay, answer if you can. The Frenchmen are ourFTLN 2391enemies. Go to, then, I ask but this: can he thatFTLN 2392speaks with the tongue of an enemy be a goodFTLN 2393counselor, or no?ALLFTLN 2394170No, no, and therefore we’ll have his head!BROTHER, to StaffordFTLN 2395Well, seeing gentle words will not prevail,FTLN 2396Assail them with the army of the King.STAFFORDFTLN 2397Herald, away, and throughout every townFTLN 2398Proclaim them traitors that are up with Cade,FTLN 2399175That those which fly before the battle endsFTLN 2400May, even in their wives’ and children’s sightFTLN 2401Be hanged up for example at their doors.—FTLN 2402And you that be the King’s friends, follow me.The Staffords, Soldiers, and Herald exit.

187

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ACT 4. SC. 3

CADEFTLN 2403And you that love the Commons, follow me.FTLN 2404180Now show yourselves men. ’Tis for liberty!FTLN 2405We will not leave one lord, one gentleman;FTLN 2406Spare none but such as go in clouted shoon,FTLN 2407For they are thrifty, honest men and suchFTLN 2408As would, but that they dare not, take our parts.DICKFTLN 2409185They are all in order and march toward us.CADEFTLN 2410But then are we in order when we are most outFTLN 2411of order. Come, march forward.They exit.

Scene3

Alarums to the fight, wherein both the Staffords areslain. Enter Cade and the rest.

CADEFTLN 2412Where’s Dick, the butcher of Ashford?DICKFTLN 2413Here, sir.CADEFTLN 2414They fell before thee like sheep and oxen, andFTLN 2415thou behaved’st thyself as if thou hadst been inFTLN 24165thine own slaughterhouse. Therefore, thus will IFTLN 2417reward thee: the Lent shall be as long again as it is,FTLN 2418and thou shalt have a license to kill for a hundredFTLN 2419lacking one.DICKFTLN 2420I desire no more.CADEFTLN 242110And to speak truth, thou deserv’st no less. ThisFTLN 2422monument of the victory will I bear.He puts onSir Humphrey Stafford’s armor and helmet, or sallet.FTLN 2423And the bodies shall be dragged at my horseFTLN 2424heels till I do come to London, where we will haveFTLN 2425the Mayor’s sword borne before us.DICKFTLN 242615If we mean to thrive and do good, break openFTLN 2427the jails and let out the prisoners.CADEFTLN 2428Fear not that, I warrant thee. Come, let’s marchFTLN 2429towards London.They exit with the bodies of the Staffords.

189

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 4. SC. 4

Scene4

Enter King Henry, with a supplication, andQueen Margaret with Suffolk’s head, the Dukeof Buckingham, and the Lord Saye.

QUEEN MARGARET, asideFTLN 2430Oft have I heard that grief softens the mindFTLN 2431And makes it fearful and degenerate.FTLN 2432Think therefore on revenge, and cease to weep.FTLN 2433But who can cease to weep and look on this?FTLN 24345Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast,FTLN 2435But where’s the body that I should embrace?BUCKINGHAM, to King HenryFTLN 2436What answer makes your Grace to the rebels’FTLN 2437supplication?KING HENRYFTLN 2438I’ll send some holy bishop to entreat,FTLN 243910For God forbid so many simple soulsFTLN 2440Should perish by the sword! And I myself,FTLN 2441Rather than bloody war shall cut them short,FTLN 2442Will parley with Jack Cade, their general.FTLN 2443But stay, I’ll read it over once again.He reads.QUEEN MARGARET, asideFTLN 244415Ah, barbarous villains! Hath this lovely faceFTLN 2445Ruled, like a wandering planet, over me,FTLN 2446And could it not enforce them to relentFTLN 2447That were unworthy to behold the same?KING HENRYFTLN 2448Lord Saye, Jack Cade hath sworn to have thy head.SAYEFTLN 244920Ay, but I hope your Highness shall have his.KING HENRYFTLN 2450How now, madam?FTLN 2451Still lamenting and mourning for Suffolk’s death?FTLN 2452I fear me, love, if that I had been dead,FTLN 2453Thou wouldst not have mourned so much for me.

191

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 4. SC. 4

QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 245425No, my love, I should not mourn, but die for thee.

Enter a Messenger.

KING HENRYFTLN 2455How now, what news? Why com’st thou in suchFTLN 2456haste?MESSENGERFTLN 2457The rebels are in Southwark. Fly, my lord!FTLN 2458Jack Cade proclaims himself Lord Mortimer,FTLN 245930Descended from the Duke of Clarence’ house,FTLN 2460And calls your Grace usurper, openly,FTLN 2461And vows to crown himself in Westminster.FTLN 2462His army is a ragged multitudeFTLN 2463Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless.FTLN 246435Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother’s deathFTLN 2465Hath given them heart and courage to proceed.FTLN 2466All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemenFTLN 2467They call false caterpillars and intend their death.KING HENRYFTLN 2468O, graceless men, they know not what they do!BUCKINGHAMFTLN 246940My gracious lord, retire to KillingworthFTLN 2470Until a power be raised to put them down.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 2471Ah, were the Duke of Suffolk now alive,FTLN 2472These Kentish rebels would be soon appeased!KING HENRYFTLN 2473Lord Saye, the traitors hateth thee;FTLN 247445Therefore away with us to Killingworth.SAYEFTLN 2475So might your Grace’s person be in danger.FTLN 2476The sight of me is odious in their eyes;FTLN 2477And therefore in this city will I stayFTLN 2478And live alone as secret as I may.

Enter another Messenger.

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SECOND MESSENGERFTLN 247950Jack Cade hath gotten London Bridge.FTLN 2480The citizens fly and forsake their houses.FTLN 2481The rascal people, thirsting after prey,FTLN 2482Join with the traitor, and they jointly swearFTLN 2483To spoil the city and your royal court.BUCKINGHAMFTLN 248455Then linger not, my lord. Away! Take horse!KING HENRYFTLN 2485Come, Margaret. God, our hope, will succor us.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 2486My hope is gone, now Suffolk is deceased.KING HENRY, to SayeFTLN 2487Farewell, my lord. Trust not the Kentish rebels.BUCKINGHAMFTLN 2488Trust nobody, for fear you be betrayed.SAYEFTLN 248960The trust I have is in mine innocence,FTLN 2490And therefore am I bold and resolute.They exit.

Scene5

Enter Lord Scales upon the Tower, walking. Then enterstwo or three Citizens below.

SCALESFTLN 2491How now? Is Jack Cade slain?FIRST CITIZENFTLN 2492No, my lord, nor likely to be slain; forFTLN 2493they have won the Bridge, killing all those thatFTLN 2494withstand them. The Lord Mayor craves aid ofFTLN 24955your Honor from the Tower to defend the cityFTLN 2496from the rebels.SCALESFTLN 2497Such aid as I can spare you shall command;FTLN 2498But I am troubled here with them myself:FTLN 2499The rebels have essayed to win the Tower.

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ACT 4. SC. 6

FTLN 250010But get you to Smithfield and gather head,FTLN 2501And thither I will send you Matthew Gough.FTLN 2502Fight for your king, your country, and your lives.FTLN 2503And so farewell, for I must hence again.They exit.

Scene6

Enter Jack Cade and the rest, and strikes his staff onLondon Stone.

CADEFTLN 2504Now is Mortimer lord of this city. And here, sittingFTLN 2505upon London Stone, I charge and commandFTLN 2506that, of the city’s cost, the Pissing Conduit runFTLN 2507nothing but claret wine this first year of our reign.FTLN 25085And now henceforward it shall be treason for anyFTLN 2509that calls me other than Lord Mortimer.

Enter a Soldier running.

SOLDIERFTLN 2510Jack Cade, Jack Cade!CADEFTLN 2511Knock him down there.They kill him.DICKFTLN 2512If this fellow be wise, he’ll never call you JackFTLN 251310Cade more. I think he hath a very fair warning.Takes a paper from the dead Soldier andreads the message.FTLN 2514My lord, there’s an army gathered together inFTLN 2515Smithfield.CADEFTLN 2516Come, then, let’s go fight with them. But first, goFTLN 2517and set London Bridge on fire, and, if you can,FTLN 251815burn down the Tower too. Come, let’s away.All exit.

197

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ACT 4. SC. 7

Scene7

Alarums. Matthew Gough is slain, and all the rest.Then enter Jack Cade with his company.

CADEFTLN 2519So, sirs. Now go some and pull down the Savoy;FTLN 2520others to th’ Inns of Court. Down with them all!DICKFTLN 2521I have a suit unto your Lordship.CADEFTLN 2522Be it a lordship, thou shalt have it for that word.DICKFTLN 25235Only that the laws of England may come out ofFTLN 2524your mouth.HOLLAND, asideFTLN 2525Mass, ’twill be sore law, then, for heFTLN 2526was thrust in the mouth with a spear, and ’tis notFTLN 2527whole yet.SMITH, asideFTLN 252810Nay, John, it will be stinking law, forFTLN 2529his breath stinks with eating toasted cheese.CADEFTLN 2530I have thought upon it; it shall be so. Away!FTLN 2531Burn all the records of the realm. My mouth shallFTLN 2532be the Parliament of England.HOLLAND, asideFTLN 253315Then we are like to have bitingFTLN 2534statutes—unless his teeth be pulled out.CADEFTLN 2535And henceforward all things shall be inFTLN 2536common.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGERFTLN 2537My lord, a prize, a prize! Here’s the LordFTLN 253820Saye, which sold the towns in France, he thatFTLN 2539made us pay one-and-twenty fifteens, and oneFTLN 2540shilling to the pound, the last subsidy.

FTLN 2547these presence, even the presence of Lord Mortimer,FTLN 254830that I am the besom that must sweep theFTLN 2549court clean of such filth as thou art. Thou hastFTLN 2550most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realmFTLN 2551in erecting a grammar school; and whereas,FTLN 2552before, our forefathers had no other books but theFTLN 255335score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to beFTLN 2554used, and, contrary to the King his crown and dignity,FTLN 2555thou hast built a paper mill. It will be provedFTLN 2556to thy face that thou hast men about thee that usuallyFTLN 2557talk of a noun and a verb and such abominableFTLN 255840words as no Christian ear can endure to hear.FTLN 2559Thou hast appointed justices of peace to call poorFTLN 2560men before them about matters they were not ableFTLN 2561to answer. Moreover, thou hast put them in prison;FTLN 2562and, because they could not read, thou hastFTLN 256345hanged them, when indeed only for that causeFTLN 2564they have been most worthy to live. Thou dost rideFTLN 2565on a footcloth, dost thou not?SAYEFTLN 2566What of that?CADEFTLN 2567Marry, thou oughtst not to let thy horse wear aFTLN 256850cloak when honester men than thou go in theirFTLN 2569hose and doublets.DICKFTLN 2570And work in their shirt too—as myself, for example,FTLN 2571that am a butcher.SAYEFTLN 2572You men of Kent—DICKFTLN 257355What say you of Kent?SAYEFTLN 2574Nothing but this: ’tis bona terra, mala gens.CADEFTLN 2575Away with him, away with him! He speaksFTLN 2576Latin.SAYEFTLN 2577Hear me but speak, and bear me where you will.FTLN 257860Kent, in the commentaries Caesar writ,FTLN 2579Is termed the civil’st place of all this isle.FTLN 2580Sweet is the country, because full of riches;FTLN 2581The people liberal, valiant, active, wealthy;

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FTLN 2582Which makes me hope you are not void of pity.FTLN 258365I sold not Maine; I lost not Normandy;FTLN 2584Yet to recover them would lose my life.FTLN 2585Justice with favor have I always done;FTLN 2586Prayers and tears have moved me; gifts could never.FTLN 2587When have I aught exacted at your handsFTLN 258870Kent to maintain, the King, the realm, and you?FTLN 2589Large gifts have I bestowed on learnèd clerks,FTLN 2590Because my book preferred me to the King.FTLN 2591And seeing ignorance is the curse of God,FTLN 2592Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven,FTLN 259375Unless you be possessed with devilish spirits,FTLN 2594You cannot but forbear to murder me.FTLN 2595This tongue hath parleyed unto foreign kingsFTLN 2596For your behoof—CADEFTLN 2597Tut, when struck’st thou one blow in the field?SAYEFTLN 259880Great men have reaching hands. Oft have I struckFTLN 2599Those that I never saw, and struck them dead.GEORGEFTLN 2600O monstrous coward! What, to come behindFTLN 2601folks?SAYEFTLN 2602These cheeks are pale for watching for your good.CADEFTLN 260385Give him a box o’ th’ ear, and that will make ’emFTLN 2604red again.SAYEFTLN 2605Long sitting to determine poor men’s causesFTLN 2606Hath made me full of sickness and diseases.CADEFTLN 2607You shall have a hempen caudle, then, andFTLN 260890the help of hatchet.DICKFTLN 2609Why dost thou quiver, man?SAYEFTLN 2610The palsy, and not fear, provokes me.CADEFTLN 2611Nay, he nods at us, as who should say “I’ll beFTLN 2612even with you.” I’ll see if his head will stand steadierFTLN 261395on a pole, or no. Take him away, and beheadFTLN 2614him.

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ACT 4. SC. 7

SAYEFTLN 2615Tell me, wherein have I offended most?FTLN 2616Have I affected wealth or honor? Speak.FTLN 2617Are my chests filled up with extorted gold?FTLN 2618100Is my apparel sumptuous to behold?FTLN 2619Whom have I injured, that you seek my death?FTLN 2620These hands are free from guiltless blood-shedding,FTLN 2621This breast from harboring foul deceitful thoughts.FTLN 2622O, let me live!CADEFTLN 2623105I feel remorse in myself with his words, but I’llFTLN 2624bridle it. He shall die, an it be but for pleading soFTLN 2625well for his life. Away with him! He has a familiarFTLN 2626under his tongue; he speaks not i’ God’s name. Go,FTLN 2627take him away, I say, and strike off his headFTLN 2628110presently; and then break into his son-in-law’sFTLN 2629house, Sir James Cromer, and strike off his head;FTLN 2630and bring them both upon two poles hither.ALLFTLN 2631It shall be done.SAYEFTLN 2632Ah, countrymen, if when you make your prayers,FTLN 2633115God should be so obdurate as yourselves,FTLN 2634How would it fare with your departed souls?FTLN 2635And therefore yet relent, and save my life.CADEFTLN 2636Away with him, and do as I command you.Some exit with Lord Saye.FTLN 2637The proudest peer in the realm shall not wear aFTLN 2638120head on his shoulders unless he pay me tribute.FTLN 2639There shall not a maid be married but she shallFTLN 2640pay to me her maidenhead ere they have it. MenFTLN 2641shall hold of me in capite; and we charge and commandFTLN 2642that their wives be as free as heart can wishFTLN 2643125or tongue can tell.DICKFTLN 2644My lord, when shall we go to Cheapside and takeFTLN 2645up commodities upon our bills?CADEFTLN 2646Marry, presently.ALLFTLN 2647O, brave!

205

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ACT 4. SC. 8

Enter one with the heads of Lord Saye and Sir JamesCromer on poles.

CADEFTLN 2648130But is not this braver? Let them kiss one another,FTLN 2649for they loved well when they were alive.Theheads are brought together.FTLN 2650Now part them again,FTLN 2651lest they consult about the giving up of some moreFTLN 2652towns in France. Soldiers, defer the spoil of theFTLN 2653135city until night, for, with these borne before usFTLN 2654instead of maces, will we ride through the streetsFTLN 2655and at every corner have them kiss. Away!He exits with his company.

Scene8

Alarum, and retreat. Enter again Cade andall his rabblement.

CADEFTLN 2656Up Fish Street! Down Saint Magnus’ Corner!FTLN 2657Kill and knock down! Throw them into Thames!Sound a parley.FTLN 2658What noise is this I hear? Dare any be so bold toFTLN 2659sound retreat or parley when I command themFTLN 26605kill?

Enter Buckingham and old Clifford with Attendants.

BUCKINGHAMFTLN 2661Ay, here they be that dare and will disturb thee.FTLN 2662Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the KingFTLN 2663Unto the Commons, whom thou hast misled,FTLN 2664And here pronounce free pardon to them allFTLN 266510That will forsake thee and go home in peace.CLIFFORDFTLN 2666What say you, countrymen? Will you relentFTLN 2667And yield to mercy whil’st ’tis offered you,FTLN 2668Or let a rabble lead you to your deaths?

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FTLN 2669Who loves the King and will embrace his pardon,FTLN 267015Fling up his cap and say “God save his Majesty!”FTLN 2671Who hateth him and honors not his father,FTLN 2672Henry the Fifth, that made all France to quake,FTLN 2673Shake he his weapon at us and pass by.ALLFTLN 2674God save the King! God save the King!They fling their caps in the air.CADEFTLN 267520What, Buckingham and Clifford, are you soFTLN 2676brave?—And, you base peasants, do you believeFTLN 2677him? Will you needs be hanged with your pardonsFTLN 2678about your necks? Hath my sword therefore brokeFTLN 2679through London gates, that you should leave me atFTLN 268025the White Hart in Southwark? I thought youFTLN 2681would never have given out these arms till you hadFTLN 2682recovered your ancient freedom. But you are allFTLN 2683recreants and dastards, and delight to live in slaveryFTLN 2684to the nobility. Let them break your backs withFTLN 268530burdens, take your houses over your heads, ravishFTLN 2686your wives and daughters before your faces. ForFTLN 2687me, I will make shift for one, and so God’s curseFTLN 2688light upon you all!ALLFTLN 2689We’ll follow Cade! We’ll follow Cade!CLIFFORDFTLN 269035Is Cade the son of Henry the Fifth,FTLN 2691That thus you do exclaim you’ll go with him?FTLN 2692Will he conduct you through the heart of FranceFTLN 2693And make the meanest of you earls and dukes?FTLN 2694Alas, he hath no home, no place to fly to,FTLN 269540Nor knows he how to live but by the spoil,FTLN 2696Unless by robbing of your friends and us.FTLN 2697Were ’t not a shame that, whilst you live at jar,FTLN 2698The fearful French, whom you late vanquishèd,FTLN 2699Should make a start o’er seas and vanquish you?FTLN 270045Methinks already in this civil broilFTLN 2701I see them lording it in London streets,FTLN 2702Crying “Villiago!” unto all they meet.FTLN 2703Better ten thousand baseborn Cades miscarry

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ACT 4. SC. 9

FTLN 2704Than you should stoop unto a Frenchman’s mercy.FTLN 270550To France, to France, and get what you have lost!FTLN 2706Spare England, for it is your native coast.FTLN 2707Henry hath money; you are strong and manly.FTLN 2708God on our side, doubt not of victory.ALLFTLN 2709À Clifford! À Clifford! We’ll follow the King andFTLN 271055Clifford!CADE, asideFTLN 2711Was ever feather so lightly blown to andFTLN 2712fro as this multitude? The name of Henry the FifthFTLN 2713hales them to an hundred mischiefs and makesFTLN 2714them leave me desolate. I see them lay their headsFTLN 271560together to surprise me. My sword make way forFTLN 2716me, for here is no staying!—In despite of the devilsFTLN 2717and hell, have through the very middest of you!FTLN 2718And heavens and honor be witness that no want ofFTLN 2719resolution in me, but only my followers’ base andFTLN 272065ignominious treasons, makes me betake me to myFTLN 2721heels.He exits, running.BUCKINGHAMFTLN 2722What, is he fled? Go, some, and follow him;FTLN 2723And he that brings his head unto the KingFTLN 2724Shall have a thousand crowns for his reward.Some of them exit.FTLN 272570Follow me, soldiers. We’ll devise a meansFTLN 2726To reconcile you all unto the King.All exit.

KING HENRYFTLN 2727Was ever king that joyed an earthly throneFTLN 2728And could command no more content than I?

211

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ACT 4. SC. 9

FTLN 2729No sooner was I crept out of my cradleFTLN 2730But I was made a king at nine months old.FTLN 27315Was never subject longed to be a kingFTLN 2732As I do long and wish to be a subject!

Enter Buckingham and old Clifford.

BUCKINGHAMFTLN 2733Health and glad tidings to your Majesty!KING HENRYFTLN 2734Why, Buckingham, is the traitor Cade surprised,FTLN 2735Or is he but retired to make him strong?

Enter below multitudes with halters about their necks.

CLIFFORDFTLN 273610He is fled, my lord, and all his powers do yieldFTLN 2737And, humbly thus, with halters on their necks,FTLN 2738Expect your Highness’ doom of life or death.KING HENRYFTLN 2739Then, heaven, set ope thy everlasting gatesFTLN 2740To entertain my vows of thanks and praise!FTLN 274115Soldiers, this day have you redeemed your livesFTLN 2742And showed how well you love your prince andFTLN 2743country.FTLN 2744Continue still in this so good a mind,FTLN 2745And Henry, though he be infortunate,FTLN 274620Assure yourselves, will never be unkind.FTLN 2747And so with thanks and pardon to you all,FTLN 2748I do dismiss you to your several countries.ALLFTLN 2749God save the King! God save the King!The multitudes exit.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGERFTLN 2750Please it your Grace to be advertisèdFTLN 275125The Duke of York is newly come from IrelandFTLN 2752And, with a puissant and a mighty power

213

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ACT 4. SC. 9

FTLN 2753Of gallowglasses and stout kerns,FTLN 2754Is marching hitherward in proud array,FTLN 2755And still proclaimeth, as he comes along,FTLN 275630His arms are only to remove from theeFTLN 2757The Duke of Somerset, whom he terms a traitor.KING HENRYFTLN 2758Thus stands my state, ’twixt Cade and YorkFTLN 2759distressed,FTLN 2760Like to a ship that, having scaped a tempest,FTLN 276135Is straightway calmed and boarded with a pirate.FTLN 2762But now is Cade driven back, his men dispersed,FTLN 2763And now is York in arms to second him.FTLN 2764I pray thee, Buckingham, go and meet him,FTLN 2765And ask him what’s the reason of these arms.FTLN 276640Tell him I’ll send Duke Edmund to the Tower.—FTLN 2767And, Somerset, we will commit thee thitherFTLN 2768Until his army be dismissed from him.SOMERSETFTLN 2769My lord,FTLN 2770I’ll yield myself to prison willingly,FTLN 277145Or unto death, to do my country good.KING HENRY, to BuckinghamFTLN 2772In any case, be not too rough in terms,FTLN 2773For he is fierce and cannot brook hard language.BUCKINGHAMFTLN 2774I will, my lord, and doubt not so to dealFTLN 2775As all things shall redound unto your good.KING HENRYFTLN 277650Come, wife, let’s in, and learn to govern better,FTLN 2777For yet may England curse my wretched reign.Flourish. They exit.

215

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 4. SC. 10

Scene10

Enter Cade.

CADEFTLN 2778Fie on ambitions! Fie on myself, that have aFTLN 2779sword and yet am ready to famish! These five daysFTLN 2780have I hid me in these woods and durst not peepFTLN 2781out, for all the country is laid for me. But now amFTLN 27825I so hungry that, if I might have a lease of my lifeFTLN 2783for a thousand years, I could stay no longer.FTLN 2784Wherefore, o’er a brick wall have I climbed intoFTLN 2785this garden, to see if I can eat grass, or pick a salletFTLN 2786another while, which is not amiss to cool a man’sFTLN 278710stomach this hot weather. And I think this wordFTLN 2788sallet was born to do me good; for many a time,FTLN 2789but for a sallet, my brainpan had been cleft with aFTLN 2790brown bill; and many a time, when I have been dryFTLN 2791and bravely marching, it hath served me instead ofFTLN 279215a quart pot to drink in; and now the word salletFTLN 2793must serve me to feed on.

Enter Iden and his Men.

IDENFTLN 2794Lord, who would live turmoilèd in the courtFTLN 2795And may enjoy such quiet walks as these?FTLN 2796This small inheritance my father left meFTLN 279720Contenteth me, and worth a monarchy.FTLN 2798I seek not to wax great by others’ waning,FTLN 2799Or gather wealth, I care not with what envy.FTLN 2800Sufficeth that I have maintains my stateFTLN 2801And sends the poor well pleasèd from my gate.CADE, asideFTLN 280225Here’s the lord of the soil come to seizeFTLN 2803me for a stray, for entering his fee-simple withoutFTLN 2804leave.—Ah, villain, thou wilt betray me and get aFTLN 2805thousand crowns of the King by carrying my headFTLN 2806to him; but I’ll make thee eat iron like an ostrich

217

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ACT 4. SC. 10

FTLN 280730and swallow my sword like a great pin, ere thouFTLN 2808and I part.He draws his sword.IDENFTLN 2809Why, rude companion, whatsoe’er thou be,FTLN 2810I know thee not. Why, then, should I betray thee?FTLN 2811Is ’t not enough to break into my gardenFTLN 281235And, like a thief, to come to rob my grounds,FTLN 2813Climbing my walls in spite of me the owner,FTLN 2814But thou wilt brave me with these saucy terms?CADEFTLN 2815Brave thee? Ay, by the best blood that ever wasFTLN 2816broached, and beard thee too. Look on me well: IFTLN 281740have eat no meat these five days, yet come thouFTLN 2818and thy five men, and if I do not leave you all asFTLN 2819dead as a doornail, I pray God I may never eatFTLN 2820grass more.IDENFTLN 2821Nay, it shall ne’er be said, while England stands,FTLN 282245That Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent,FTLN 2823Took odds to combat a poor famished man.FTLN 2824Oppose thy steadfast gazing eyes to mine;FTLN 2825See if thou canst outface me with thy looks.FTLN 2826Set limb to limb, and thou art far the lesser;FTLN 282750Thy hand is but a finger to my fist,FTLN 2828Thy leg a stick comparèd with this truncheon.FTLN 2829My foot shall fight with all the strength thou hast;FTLN 2830And if mine arm be heavèd in the air,FTLN 2831Thy grave is digged already in the earth.FTLN 283255As for words, whose greatness answers words,FTLN 2833Let this my sword report what speech forbears.He draws his sword.CADEFTLN 2834By my valor, the most complete champion thatFTLN 2835ever I heard! Steel, if thou turn the edge or cut notFTLN 2836out the burly-boned clown in chines of beef ereFTLN 283760thou sleep in thy sheath, I beseech God on myFTLN 2838knees thou mayst be turned to hobnails.(Here they fight, and Cade falls.)

219

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ACT 4. SC. 10

FTLN 2839O, I am slain! Famine, and no other, hath slain me.FTLN 2840Let ten thousand devils come against me, and giveFTLN 2841me but the ten meals I have lost, and I’d defy themFTLN 284265all. Wither, garden, and be henceforth a buryingFTLN 2843place to all that do dwell in this house, because theFTLN 2844unconquered soul of Cade is fled.IDENFTLN 2845Is ’t Cade that I have slain, that monstrous traitor?FTLN 2846Sword, I will hallow thee for this thy deed,FTLN 284770And hang thee o’er my tomb when I am dead.FTLN 2848Ne’er shall this blood be wipèd from thy point,FTLN 2849But thou shalt wear it as a herald’s coatFTLN 2850To emblaze the honor that thy master got.CADEFTLN 2851Iden, farewell, and be proud of thy victory. TellFTLN 285275Kent from me she hath lost her best man, andFTLN 2853exhort all the world to be cowards; for I, that neverFTLN 2854feared any, am vanquished by famine, not by valor.Dies.IDENFTLN 2855How much thou wrong’st me, heaven be my judge!FTLN 2856Die, damnèd wretch, the curse of her that bare thee!FTLN 285780And as I thrust thy body in with my sword,FTLN 2858So wish I, I might thrust thy soul to hell.FTLN 2859Hence will I drag thee headlong by the heelsFTLN 2860Unto a dunghill, which shall be thy grave,FTLN 2861And there cut off thy most ungracious head,FTLN 286285Which I will bear in triumph to the King,FTLN 2863Leaving thy trunk for crows to feed upon.He exits with his Men, dragging Cade’s body.

ACT 5

Scene 1

Enter York, wearing the white rose, and his army ofIrish, with Attendants, Drum and Colors.

YORKFTLN 2864From Ireland thus comes York to claim his rightFTLN 2865And pluck the crown from feeble Henry’s head.FTLN 2866Ring, bells, aloud! Burn, bonfires, clear and brightFTLN 2867To entertain great England’s lawful king!FTLN 28685Ah, sancta maiestas, who would not buy thee dear?FTLN 2869Let them obey that knows not how to rule.FTLN 2870This hand was made to handle naught but gold.FTLN 2871I cannot give due action to my wordsFTLN 2872Except a sword or scepter balance it.FTLN 287310A scepter shall it have, have I a soul,FTLN 2874On which I’ll toss the fleur-de-luce of France.

Enter Buckingham, wearing the red rose.

FTLN 2875Aside.Whom have we here? Buckingham, toFTLN 2876disturb me?FTLN 2877The King hath sent him, sure. I must dissemble.BUCKINGHAMFTLN 287815York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee well.YORKFTLN 2879Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greeting.FTLN 2880Art thou a messenger, or come of pleasure?

223

225

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 5. SC. 1

BUCKINGHAMFTLN 2881A messenger from Henry, our dread liege,FTLN 2882To know the reason of these arms in peace;FTLN 288320Or why thou, being a subject as I am,FTLN 2884Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn,FTLN 2885Should raise so great a power without his leave,FTLN 2886Or dare to bring thy force so near the court.YORK, asideFTLN 2887Scarce can I speak, my choler is so great.FTLN 288825O, I could hew up rocks and fight with flint,FTLN 2889I am so angry at these abject terms!FTLN 2890And now, like Ajax Telamonius,FTLN 2891On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury.FTLN 2892I am far better born than is the King,FTLN 289330More like a king, more kingly in my thoughts.FTLN 2894But I must make fair weather yet awhile,FTLN 2895Till Henry be more weak and I more strong.—FTLN 2896Buckingham, I prithee, pardon me,FTLN 2897That I have given no answer all this while.FTLN 289835My mind was troubled with deep melancholy.FTLN 2899The cause why I have brought this army hitherFTLN 2900Is to remove proud Somerset from the King,FTLN 2901Seditious to his Grace and to the state.BUCKINGHAMFTLN 2902That is too much presumption on thy part.FTLN 290340But if thy arms be to no other end,FTLN 2904The King hath yielded unto thy demand:FTLN 2905The Duke of Somerset is in the Tower.YORKFTLN 2906Upon thine honor, is he prisoner?BUCKINGHAMFTLN 2907Upon mine honor, he is prisoner.YORKFTLN 290845Then, Buckingham, I do dismiss my powers.—FTLN 2909Soldiers, I thank you all. Disperse yourselves.

KING HENRYFTLN 2920Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to usFTLN 2921That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm?YORKFTLN 2922In all submission and humilityFTLN 292360York doth present himself unto your Highness.KING HENRYFTLN 2924Then what intends these forces thou dost bring?YORKFTLN 2925To heave the traitor Somerset from henceFTLN 2926And fight against that monstrous rebel Cade,FTLN 2927Who since I heard to be discomfited.

Enter Iden, with Cade’s head.

IDENFTLN 292865If one so rude and of so mean conditionFTLN 2929May pass into the presence of a king,FTLN 2930Lo, I present your Grace a traitor’s head,FTLN 2931The head of Cade, whom I in combat slew.KING HENRYFTLN 2932The head of Cade? Great God, how just art Thou!

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ACT 5. SC. 1

FTLN 293370O, let me view his visage, being dead,FTLN 2934That living wrought me such exceeding trouble.FTLN 2935Tell me, my friend, art thou the man that slew him?IDENFTLN 2936I was, an ’t like your Majesty.KING HENRYFTLN 2937How art thou called? And what is thy degree?IDENFTLN 293875Alexander Iden, that’s my name,FTLN 2939A poor esquire of Kent that loves his king.BUCKINGHAMFTLN 2940So please it you, my lord, ’twere not amissFTLN 2941He were created knight for his good service.KING HENRYFTLN 2942Iden, kneel down.He kneels. Rise up a knight.Herises.FTLN 294380We give thee for reward a thousand marks,FTLN 2944And will that thou henceforth attend on us.IDENFTLN 2945May Iden live to merit such a bounty,FTLN 2946And never live but true unto his liege!

FTLN 2956Knowing how hardly I can brook abuse?FTLN 2957“King” did I call thee? No, thou art not king,FTLN 295895Not fit to govern and rule multitudes,FTLN 2959Which dar’st not—no, nor canst not—rule a traitor.FTLN 2960That head of thine doth not become a crown;FTLN 2961Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer’s staff,FTLN 2962And not to grace an awful princely scepter.FTLN 2963100That gold must round engirt these brows of mine,FTLN 2964Whose smile and frown, like to Achilles’ spear,FTLN 2965Is able with the change to kill and cure.FTLN 2966Here is a hand to hold a scepter upFTLN 2967And with the same to act controlling laws.FTLN 2968105Give place. By heaven, thou shalt rule no moreFTLN 2969O’er him whom heaven created for thy ruler.SOMERSETFTLN 2970O monstrous traitor! I arrest thee, York,FTLN 2971Of capital treason ’gainst the King and crown.FTLN 2972Obey, audacious traitor. Kneel for grace.YORKFTLN 2973110Wouldst have me kneel? First let me ask of theseFTLN 2974If they can brook I bow a knee to man.FTLN 2975To an Attendant.Sirrah, call in my sons to be myFTLN 2976bail.Attendant exits.FTLN 2977I know, ere they will have me go to ward,FTLN 2978115They’ll pawn their swords for my enfranchisement.QUEEN MARGARET, to BuckinghamFTLN 2979Call hither Clifford; bid him come amain,FTLN 2980To say if that the bastard boys of YorkFTLN 2981Shall be the surety for their traitor father.Buckingham exits.YORK, to Queen MargaretFTLN 2982O, blood-bespotted Neapolitan,FTLN 2983120Outcast of Naples, England’s bloody scourge!FTLN 2984The sons of York, thy betters in their birth,FTLN 2985Shall be their father’s bail, and bane to thoseFTLN 2986That for my surety will refuse the boys.

QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 2989And here comes Clifford to deny their bail.CLIFFORD, kneeling before King HenryFTLN 2990Health and all happiness to my lord the King.He rises.YORKFTLN 2991I thank thee, Clifford. Say, what news with thee?FTLN 2992Nay, do not fright us with an angry look.FTLN 2993130We are thy sovereign, Clifford; kneel again.FTLN 2994For thy mistaking so, we pardon thee.CLIFFORDFTLN 2995This is my king, York; I do not mistake,FTLN 2996But thou mistakes me much to think I do.—FTLN 2997To Bedlam with him! Is the man grown mad?KING HENRYFTLN 2998135Ay, Clifford, a bedlam and ambitious humorFTLN 2999Makes him oppose himself against his king.CLIFFORDFTLN 3000He is a traitor. Let him to the Tower,FTLN 3001And chop away that factious pate of his.QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 3002He is arrested, but will not obey.FTLN 3003140His sons, he says, shall give their words for him.YORKFTLN 3004Will you not, sons?EDWARDFTLN 3005Ay, noble father, if our words will serve.RICHARDFTLN 3006And if words will not, then our weapons shall.CLIFFORDFTLN 3007Why, what a brood of traitors have we here!

235

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ACT 5. SC. 1

YORKFTLN 3008145Look in a glass, and call thy image so.FTLN 3009I am thy king and thou a false-heart traitor.FTLN 3010Call hither to the stake my two brave bears,FTLN 3011That, with the very shaking of their chains,FTLN 3012They may astonish these fell-lurking curs.FTLN 3013150To an Attendant.Bid Salisbury and Warwick comeFTLN 3014to me.Attendant exits.

Enter the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury, wearing thewhite rose.

CLIFFORDFTLN 3015Are these thy bears? We’ll bait thy bears to deathFTLN 3016And manacle the bearherd in their chains,FTLN 3017If thou dar’st bring them to the baiting place.RICHARDFTLN 3018155Oft have I seen a hot o’erweening curFTLN 3019Run back and bite because he was withheld,FTLN 3020Who, being suffered with the bear’s fell paw,FTLN 3021Hath clapped his tail between his legs and cried;FTLN 3022And such a piece of service will you doFTLN 3023160If you oppose yourselves to match Lord Warwick.CLIFFORDFTLN 3024Hence, heap of wrath, foul indigested lump,FTLN 3025As crooked in thy manners as thy shape!YORKFTLN 3026Nay, we shall heat you thoroughly anon.CLIFFORDFTLN 3027Take heed, lest by your heat you burn yourselves.KING HENRYFTLN 3028165Why, Warwick, hath thy knee forgot to bow?—FTLN 3029Old Salisbury, shame to thy silver hair,FTLN 3030Thou mad misleader of thy brainsick son!FTLN 3031What, wilt thou on thy deathbed play the ruffianFTLN 3032And seek for sorrow with thy spectacles?FTLN 3033170O, where is faith? O, where is loyalty?

237

Henry VI, Part 2

FTLN 3034If it be banished from the frosty head,FTLN 3035Where shall it find a harbor in the earth?FTLN 3036Wilt thou go dig a grave to find out war,FTLN 3037And shame thine honorable age with blood?FTLN 3038175Why art thou old and want’st experience?FTLN 3039Or wherefore dost abuse it, if thou hast it?FTLN 3040For shame! In duty bend thy knee to meFTLN 3041That bows unto the grave with mickle age.SALISBURYFTLN 3042My lord, I have considered with myselfFTLN 3043180The title of this most renownèd duke,FTLN 3044And in my conscience do repute his GraceFTLN 3045The rightful heir to England’s royal seat.KING HENRYFTLN 3046Hast thou not sworn allegiance unto me?SALISBURYFTLN 3047I have.KING HENRYFTLN 3048185Canst thou dispense with heaven for such an oath?SALISBURYFTLN 3049It is great sin to swear unto a sin,FTLN 3050But greater sin to keep a sinful oath.FTLN 3051Who can be bound by any solemn vowFTLN 3052To do a murd’rous deed, to rob a man,FTLN 3053190To force a spotless virgin’s chastity,FTLN 3054To reave the orphan of his patrimony,FTLN 3055To wring the widow from her customed right,FTLN 3056And have no other reason for this wrongFTLN 3057But that he was bound by a solemn oath?QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 3058195A subtle traitor needs no sophister.KING HENRY, to an AttendantFTLN 3059Call Buckingham, and bid him arm himself.Attendant exits.YORK, to King HenryFTLN 3060Call Buckingham and all the friends thou hast,FTLN 3061I am resolved for death or dignity.

239

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 5. SC. 1

CLIFFORDFTLN 3062The first, I warrant thee, if dreams prove true.WARWICKFTLN 3063200You were best to go to bed and dream again,FTLN 3064To keep thee from the tempest of the field.CLIFFORDFTLN 3065I am resolved to bear a greater stormFTLN 3066Than any thou canst conjure up today;FTLN 3067And that I’ll write upon thy burgonet,FTLN 3068205Might I but know thee by thy house’s badge.WARWICKFTLN 3069Now, by my father’s badge, old Neville’s crest,FTLN 3070The rampant bear chained to the ragged staff,FTLN 3071This day I’ll wear aloft my burgonet—FTLN 3072As on a mountaintop the cedar showsFTLN 3073210That keeps his leaves in spite of any storm—FTLN 3074Even to affright thee with the view thereof.CLIFFORDFTLN 3075And from thy burgonet I’ll rend thy bearFTLN 3076And tread it under foot with all contempt,FTLN 3077Despite the bearherd that protects the bear.YOUNG CLIFFORDFTLN 3078215And so to arms, victorious father,FTLN 3079To quell the rebels and their complices.RICHARDFTLN 3080Fie! Charity, for shame! Speak not in spite,FTLN 3081For you shall sup with Jesu Christ tonight.YOUNG CLIFFORDFTLN 3082Foul stigmatic, that’s more than thou canst tell!RICHARDFTLN 3083220If not in heaven, you’ll surely sup in hell.They exit separately.

241

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 5. SC. 2

Scene2

The sign of the Castle Inn is displayed. Alarms.Enter Warwick, wearing the white rose.

WARWICKFTLN 3096Of one or both of us the time is come.YORKFTLN 3097Hold, Warwick! Seek thee out some other chase,FTLN 309815For I myself must hunt this deer to death.WARWICKFTLN 3099Then, nobly, York! ’Tis for a crown thou fight’st.—FTLN 3100As I intend, Clifford, to thrive today,FTLN 3101It grieves my soul to leave thee unassailed.Warwick exits.CLIFFORDFTLN 3102What seest thou in me, York? Why dost thou pause?YORKFTLN 310320With thy brave bearing should I be in love,FTLN 3104But that thou art so fast mine enemy.

243

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 5. SC. 2

CLIFFORDFTLN 3105Nor should thy prowess want praise and esteem,FTLN 3106But that ’tis shown ignobly and in treason.YORKFTLN 3107So let it help me now against thy swordFTLN 310825As I in justice and true right express it!CLIFFORDFTLN 3109My soul and body on the action both!YORKFTLN 3110A dreadful lay! Address thee instantly.They fight and Clifford falls.CLIFFORDFTLN 3111La fin courrone les oeuvres.He dies.YORKFTLN 3112Thus war hath given thee peace, for thou art still.FTLN 311330Peace with his soul, heaven, if it be thy will!He exits.

Enter young Clifford, wearing the red rose.

YOUNG CLIFFORDFTLN 3114Shame and confusion! All is on the rout.FTLN 3115Fear frames disorder, and disorder woundsFTLN 3116Where it should guard. O war, thou son of hell,FTLN 3117Whom angry heavens do make their minister,FTLN 311835Throw in the frozen bosoms of our partFTLN 3119Hot coals of vengeance! Let no soldier fly.FTLN 3120He that is truly dedicate to warFTLN 3121Hath no self-love; nor he that loves himselfFTLN 3122Hath not essentially, but by circumstance,FTLN 312340The name of valor.He sees his father, lying dead. O,FTLN 3124let the vile world endFTLN 3125And the premised flames of the last dayFTLN 3126Knit Earth and heaven together!FTLN 3127Now let the general trumpet blow his blast,FTLN 312845Particularities and petty soundsFTLN 3129To cease! Wast thou ordained, dear father,

245

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 5. SC. 2

FTLN 3130To lose thy youth in peace, and to achieveFTLN 3131The silver livery of advisèd age,FTLN 3132And, in thy reverence and thy chair-days, thusFTLN 313350To die in ruffian battle? Even at this sightFTLN 3134My heart is turned to stone, and while ’tis mine,FTLN 3135It shall be stony. York not our old men spares;FTLN 3136No more will I their babes. Tears virginalFTLN 3137Shall be to me even as the dew to fire;FTLN 313855And beauty, that the tyrant oft reclaims,FTLN 3139Shall to my flaming wrath be oil and flax.FTLN 3140Henceforth I will not have to do with pity.FTLN 3141Meet I an infant of the house of York,FTLN 3142Into as many gobbets will I cut itFTLN 314360As wild Medea young Absyrtis did.FTLN 3144In cruelty will I seek out my fame.He takes his father’s body onto his back.FTLN 3145Come, thou new ruin of old Clifford’s house;FTLN 3146As did Aeneas old Anchises bear,FTLN 3147So bear I thee upon my manly shoulders.FTLN 314865But then Aeneas bare a living load,FTLN 3149Nothing so heavy as these woes of mine.He exits.

Enter Richard, wearing the white rose, and Somerset,wearing the red rose, to fight.

Fight. Excursions.Enter King Henry, QueenMargaret, both wearing the red rose, and Others.

QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 3156Away, my lord! You are slow. For shame, away!

247

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 5. SC. 3

KING HENRYFTLN 3157Can we outrun the heavens? Good Margaret, stay!QUEEN MARGARETFTLN 315875What are you made of? You’ll nor fight nor fly.FTLN 3159Now is it manhood, wisdom, and defenseFTLN 3160To give the enemy way, and to secure usFTLN 3161By what we can, which can no more but fly.Alarum afar off.FTLN 3162If you be ta’en, we then should see the bottomFTLN 316380Of all our fortunes; but if we haply scape,FTLN 3164As well we may—if not through your neglect—FTLN 3165We shall to London get, where you are lovedFTLN 3166And where this breach now in our fortunes madeFTLN 3167May readily be stopped.

Enter Young Clifford, wearing the red rose.

YOUNG CLIFFORDFTLN 316885But that my heart’s on future mischief set,FTLN 3169I would speak blasphemy ere bid you fly;FTLN 3170But fly you must. Uncurable discomfitFTLN 3171Reigns in the hearts of all our present parts.FTLN 3172Away, for your relief! And we will liveFTLN 317390To see their day and them our fortune give.FTLN 3174Away, my lord, away!They exit.

YORKFTLN 3175Of Salisbury, who can report of him,FTLN 3176That winter lion, who in rage forgetsFTLN 3177Agèd contusions and all brush of time,FTLN 3178And, like a gallant in the brow of youth,

249

Henry VI, Part 2

ACT 5. SC. 3

FTLN 31795Repairs him with occasion? This happy dayFTLN 3180Is not itself, nor have we won one foot,FTLN 3181If Salisbury be lost.RICHARDFTLN 3182My noble father,FTLN 3183Three times today I holp him to his horse,FTLN 318410Three times bestrid him. Thrice I led him off,FTLN 3185Persuaded him from any further act;FTLN 3186But still, where danger was, still there I met him,FTLN 3187And, like rich hangings in a homely house,FTLN 3188So was his will in his old feeble body.FTLN 318915But, noble as he is, look where he comes.

Enter Salisbury, wearing the white rose.

FTLN 3190Now, by my sword, well hast thou fought today!SALISBURYFTLN 3191By th’ Mass, so did we all. I thank you, Richard.FTLN 3192God knows how long it is I have to live,FTLN 3193And it hath pleased Him that three times todayFTLN 319420You have defended me from imminent death.FTLN 3195Well, lords, we have not got that which we have;FTLN 3196’Tis not enough our foes are this time fled,FTLN 3197Being opposites of such repairing nature.YORKFTLN 3198I know our safety is to follow them;FTLN 319925For, as I hear, the King is fled to LondonFTLN 3200To call a present court of Parliament.FTLN 3201Let us pursue him ere the writs go forth.—FTLN 3202What says Lord Warwick? Shall we after them?WARWICKFTLN 3203After them? Nay, before them, if we can.FTLN 320430Now, by my hand, lords, ’twas a glorious day.FTLN 3205Saint Albans battle won by famous YorkFTLN 3206Shall be eternized in all age to come.—FTLN 3207Sound drum and trumpets, and to London all;FTLN 3208And more such days as these to us befall!Flourish. They exit.